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Eleven Chinese civil society organizations (CSOs) launched the China CSO Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization (CCAVI) at the 2013 annual meeting of the Chinese Preventive Medical Association (CPMA) on November 8, 2013. CPMA and Global Health Strategies Initiatives (GHSi) convened these organizations to support efforts to ensure children in China and around the world receive access to vaccines, one of the most cost-effective tools that can protect children from deadly diseases.
"Immunization requires continuous commitment. We have estimated 16 million newborns in China each year. Despite China has achieved tremendous progresses protecting Chinese people from many deadly diseases through the domestic immunization program, there are still challenges that we need to address", said Dr. Lei Zhenglong, Deputy Director-General, Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control at National Health and Family Planning Commission, during his keynote speech at the meeting.
"Immunization needs a joint effort that goes beyond government. Civil society organizations can leverage their diversity and flexibility to play a bigger role in the future," he said.
Despite tremendous progress in reaching children in China and worldwide with immunizations, more than 20 million children globally do not receive essential vaccines. The global community has united around a goal to reach universal access to immunization by 2020.
"China has a unique role to play in supporting global immunization efforts, drawing from its domestic experience getting essential vaccines to children across the country, and its capacity to produce high-quality vaccines that could one day reach children in developing countries," said Lance Rodewald, team leader for the World Health Organization (WHO) China Office Expanded Program on Immunization.
"The global community has a responsibility to reach all children, everywhere, with the vaccines they need, and China is an important part of such efforts," echoed Dr. Feng Cheng, Vice President of GHSi. "Given its experience and expertise in immunization, China has an opportunity to draw from its success and help the world achieve goals for universal access to immunization," he said.
"China is one of the few countries which can produce high-quality and affordable vaccines, which can meet the needs of developing countries," said Chen Youding, Director of Access Campaign of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
In October, the first Chinese-made vaccine achieved WHO prequalification and met international standards for quality, safety and efficacy. This designation allows the manufacturer to sell its vaccine against Japanese encephalitis to international agencies to be used in low-income countries. This announcement marked an important milestone for China's increasing potential role as an international vaccine supplier that could one day help meet urgent immunization needs of developing countries.
"I believe CCAVI will become an effective platform that can promote academic exchanges, new technologies, effective measurement and health education in the field of immunization, helping China reach its full potential to be an international health partner and make a lasting impact on the health of children around the world." said CaiJiming, Secretary-General of CPMA.
According to Cai, CSOs in the Alliance include community organizations, government-organized NGOs (GONGOs), NGOs, professional associations, academic institutions and organizations representing affected population groups. The CSO Alliance will also explore opportunities to promote the adoption of quality and affordable vaccines made in China. The CSO Alliance aims to encourage China's efforts to make a positive impact on vaccines both in China and globally.
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