CPC Secretary Zhang Guoxin Meets with Ms Kristine Kay Macartney of Australia’s National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance

Secretary Zhang welcomed Ms Macartney and her delegation to China CDC, and thanked NCIRS for its long-standing friendly support. He noted that China had made major achievements in its immunisation programme over the past four decades. The country has maintained its polio-free status, while diseases such as measles and hepatitis B have declined significantly through vaccination. Ms Macartney’s visit came as China was including HPV vaccines in its national immunisation programme. Australia has many years of experience in HPV vaccination practice, as well as in related monitoring, evaluation and research. This experience will serve as a useful reference for China as it advances HPV vaccination and related monitoring and evaluation work. Secretary Zhang expressed the hope that the two sides would continue to strengthen personnel exchanges and research cooperation in areas such as the organisation and implementation of HPV vaccination, evaluation of vaccination outcomes, and AEFI surveillance.

Ms Macartney spoke highly of China’s major achievements in its immunisation programme. She said NCIRS and China CDC share a common vision for the prevention and control of all vaccine-preventable diseases, and face similar challenges in vaccination implementation. She hoped that the two sides would continue to move forward with the signing of a memorandum of understanding, deepen cooperation and personnel exchanges on shared issues, and work together to address practical challenges.