Chinese vaccine products go global: vaccine development and quality control

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2015 May;14(5):763-73. doi: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1012503. Epub 2015 Feb 19.

Abstract

Through the continuous efforts of several generations, China has become one of the few countries in the world that is capable of independently addressing all the requirements by the Expanded Program on Immunization. Regulatory science is applied to continuously improve the vaccine regulatory system. Passing the prequalification by WHO has allowed Chinese vaccine products to go global. Chinese vaccine products not only secure disease prevention and control domestically but also serve the needs for international public health. This article describes the history of Chinese vaccine development, the current situation of Chinese vaccine industry and its contribution to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. We also share our experience of national quality control and vaccine regulation during the past decades. China's experience in vaccine development and quality control can benefit other countries and regions worldwide, including the developing countries.

Keywords: China; WHO prequalification; infectious diseases; quality control; regulatory science; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Developing Countries
  • Drug Approval / methods*
  • Drug Discovery / history
  • Drug Discovery / trends*
  • Drug Industry / history*
  • Global Health
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Quality Control*
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / methods
  • Technology, Pharmaceutical / standards*
  • Vaccines / history
  • Vaccines / isolation & purification*
  • Vaccines / standards*
  • Vaccines / supply & distribution

Substances

  • Vaccines