Saturday, April 25th marks National Child Vaccination Awareness Day, but what do you know about getting your child vaccinated here in Beijing? It can definitely be a bit unnerving coming to China – especially with young kids – and trying to figure out how to make sure you have all the right vaccines. Here to demystify it all are two Family Medicine physicians and one pediatrician from Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU).
Bringing us the German perspective is Family Medicine physician Dr. Reinhard Krippner, who used to be the German Embassy Clinic doctor. Here with the US angle is Family Medicine physician Dr. Lijun Liang, who was educated in China and trained in New York City. Providing more information specifically for kids is pediatrician Dr. Jet Caligagan from the Philippines.
What vaccines are not readily available in China?
Combination vaccines
「In China, there are constant shortages of imported vaccines, and the Chinese-made vaccinations are limited in their combinations,」 says Dr. Reinhard Krippner, explaining that the more diseases you can cover in one vaccine, the fewer injections needed, and the better the result – especially for children. "In Europe, we have the five-in-one and the six-in-one vaccines. Quite a number of these don’t exist in China, and there is a distrust of Chinese vaccinations because of previous scandals,」 he says.
So, if you』d like to follow a typical Western vaccination schedule with as few vaccinations as possible using all Western-made medications, Dr. Krippner suggests getting as many vaccines as possible back home. 「Of course, when your child is born in China, you have no choice,」 he adds, 「but any follow-up vaccinations that you can plan, it’s best to do them back home.」
Typhoid
「Living in Beijing, typhoid is not a very big risk. It’s only if you’re living in or traveling to very remote areas,」 says Dr. Lijun Liang. 「We don’t have that vaccine because China hasn’t approved it yet and China doesn’t make their own.」 She adds that you need to get a booster shot every three years to maintain immunity.
UPDATE: Tetanus and rotavirus vaccines are now available in China.
Which vaccines are needed in China that aren't on most Western vaccination schedules?
Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B
The reason some vaccines aren’t available in China is that some diseases just aren’t such an issue here. But, conversely, there are certain diseases that do exist in China that Western vaccination schedules may not account for. 「That includes Japanese encephalitis," says Dr. Krippner. "The disease is now rather rare comparatively, but that’s because every Chinese child is vaccinated. If all Chinese children are vaccinated, it means it’s still an issue,」 Dr. Krippner cautions. He also recommends getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you haven't already gotten these shots.
Getting all the vaccines you need before you come to China is ideal as it allows you and your family to have a full level of immunity upon arrival. However, if the full course of vaccines recommended really can’t be completed before your relocation, Dr. Jet advises that you can still get these vaccines once you arrive in China as a last resort. If you need to move in the middle of your child's vaccination schedule, Dr. Jet advises talking to your pediatrician to ensure a smooth transition of your child's care.
I』ve heard that vaccines in China can be unsafe. Is this true?
「Vaccines, in general, are safe, especially when they are manufactured by reputable pharmaceutical companies who adhere to the highest ethical and evidenced-based standards,」 says Dr. Jet. Our pharmacists run the BJU pharmacy according to worldwide service quality and patient safety standards. We are committed to ensuring medication safety and improving patient care.
What vaccines can my child get in China?
Below is BJU's recommended childhood immunization schedule:
The Pediatrics Department at Beijing United Family Hospital is open Monday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM. To make an appointment, book through our WeChat portal or call the 24hr service center at 4008-919191.
Dr. Reinhard Krippner is a German Family Medicine physician at the United Family Liangma Clinic. He speaks German, English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Indonesian. To make an appointment with him, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.
Dr. Lijun Liang is an American Family Medicine physician at Beijing United Family Hospital. She speaks English and Mandarin. To make an appointment with her, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.
Dr. Jet Caligagan is a highly experienced pediatrician from the Philippines. He has over 20 years of clinical experience. To make an appointment with him, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.