Key practical points:
• 'Category one' vaccines in the national immunisation programme are free and mandatory for children (e.g. polio, measles).
• 'Category two' vaccines are optional and paid by the citizen (e.g. seasonal flu).
• The cold chain and traceability are strictly managed, and each dose has a traceable code.
• A compensation system exists for rare, serious vaccination injuries.
• Falsifying vaccine data or producing fake vaccines is severely punished.
• Resident foreigners may vaccinate their children at approved immunisation centres and should keep the vaccination record book.
Vaccine Administration Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国疫苗管理法 / Vaccine Administration Law
Enacted: 2019-06-29 ✅ Effective: 2019-12-01
📝 Overview
China's first law devoted entirely to vaccines, governing their research, production, distribution, vaccination and supervision under the strictest standards. It splits vaccines into a free mandatory category one and an optional category two. It matters to every family, especially children.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you have children in China, national-programme vaccines are free and mandatory and are given at local immunisation centres; keep the vaccination booklet, as schools ask for it. Optional vaccines are paid and your choice. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
National Medical Products Administration / nmpa.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026