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North Korean refugee children in China have low vaccination rates due to lack of legal status

Children born to North Korean refugee women in China have much lower vaccination rates than local Chinese or migrant children — with full immunization rates of 14% compared to 93% for local ethnic Chinese children and 55% for migrant children. While all ethnic Chinese children are registered and provided with free vaccinations and there are specific programs targeting migrant children, children born to Korean refugees have no legal status and are thus excluded from the public health care system.

Full Citation:
Chung HJ, Han SH, Kim H et al.. 2016. Childhood immunizations in China: Disparities in health care access in children born to North Korean refugees. BMC International Health and Human Rights. 16.

Title of Article: Childhood immunizations in China: Disparities in health care access in children born to North Korean refugees

Author(s): Chung HJ, Han SH, Kim H et al.

Publication Year: 2016

Publication Name: BMC International Health and Human Rights

Publication Volume: 16

Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27074957/

DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1186/s12914-016-0085-z

Topics: Equity

Disease Vaccines: Full immunization

Countries: China

WHO Regions: Western Pacific