These data suggest that a single dose of 15 microg of hemagglutinin antigen without alum adjuvant induces a typically protective immune response in the majority of subjects between 12 and 60 years of age. Lesser immune responses were seen after a single dose of vaccine in younger and older subjects. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00975572).

The 2011 outbreak in China showed that poliomyelitis-free countries remain at risk for outbreaks while the poliovirus circulates anywhere in the world. Global eradication of poliomyelitis will benefit all countries, even those that are currently free of poliomyelitis.

No pattern of adverse events that would be of concern was observed after the administration of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine, nor was there evidence of an increased risk of the Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Experts Advisory Committee on Immunization Program (EACIP) of China was founded in 1982, and currently consists of 33 experts in immunization and related fields, selected by the Ministry of Health, to provide advice and guidance on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. The main tasks of the EACIP are to advise on the national immunization schedule, to participate in the drafting and review of technical documents, and to participate in field supervision and staff training. In 2007, the EACIP used evidence-based methods to formulate a revised national immunization schedule. The EACIP has played and is playing an increasingly important role in guiding immunization policy in China.

The HBV vaccine event resulted in the suspension of a safe vaccine, which was associated with a decline of parental confidence, and refusal of vaccination. Suspension of a vaccine can lead to loss of confidence that is difficult to recover. Timely and credible investigation, accompanied by proactive outreach to stakeholders and the media, may help mitigate negative impact of future coincidental adverse events following immunization.

No abstract

A case of illegal vaccine sales in Shandong province, China, (hereinafter, the incident), which caused a lack of confidence among vaccination recipients and public panic, was uncovered in March 2016. We conducted a study comprising two cross-sectional surveys: at two months (May 2016) and seven months (October 2016) after the incident. The study aimed to evaluate the impact on immunizations; investigate the variation of the immunization coverage of the National Immunization Program Vaccines (NIPV) and the sales volume growth rate of Category II vaccines; and understand the reasons for non-vaccination and perspectives on immunization. The immunization coverage of NIPV decreased by 5.6 percentage points in the first survey, with a decline of 11.1 in the region of the incident, and decreased by 0.6 in the second survey compared to same period in 2015. The sales volume growth rate of Category II vaccines decreased by 25.8% in the study area and by 48.8% in the region of the incident in April 2016 compared to April 2015. Overall, 15.8% of respondents in the first survey and 7.0% in the second survey did not vaccinate their children according to the NIPV schedule because of the incident (χ = 78.463, P < 0.05). The vaccination was likely affected by the incident in varying degrees, especially in the involved region and particularly in relation to Category II vaccines. Overall, 34% of respondents avoided Category II vaccines for their children, indicating that it will take considerable time to eliminate the negative stigma associated with the incident.

Abstract.A survey was conducted in 2006 to assess the coverage and timeliness of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB 1 ) and related influences among children in rural areas of Guangxi, Guizhou, Tibet, and Shaanxi provinces, People's Republic of China. A total of 3,390 children born in 2004 were surveyed in four counties in each province, where a project to strengthen routine immunization is being implemented by the China Ministry of Health, supported by the United National Children's Fund. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling was undertaken to select those surveyed. A questionnaire was administered to parents or guardians and vaccination records were assessed. HepB 1 administration was timely for 31.6% of the sample. Timeliness of HepB 1 for children delivered at home (13%) was lower than for children born at county-level or higher facilities (54%) (odds ratio [OR] = 6.52, (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.29-8.04, P < 10 −3 ), at township hospitals (49%, OR = 7.14, 95% CI = 5.68-8.98, P < 10 ) were also less likely to have received a timely birth dose. Parental knowledge and prioritization of birth-dosing was low among children who did not receive it. The timeliness of HepB 1 should improve with increasing rates of hospital delivery, training of birth attendants, increasing staff and community awareness of the importance of the birth dose, and by focusing on vulnerable groups.