Moving to China changes your preventive care calendar. Between travel-related vaccinations, routine boosters and local health requirements, a little planning keeps you protected without gaps.
Vaccines worth reviewing
Routine boosters: tetanus-diphtheria, measles and influenza — the annual flu shot is available at international clinics each autumn.
Travel and environment: Japanese encephalitis for long stays in rural areas, rabies pre-exposure vaccination for hikers and animal lovers, and hepatitis A and B for everyone — hepatitis B remains endemic and the vaccine is highly effective.
Children: bring vaccination records in English; international clinics can align catch-up schedules with your home country’s program.
Where to get vaccinated
International health centers and private clinics in major cities stock international vaccines and provide English documentation. Public facilities offer CDC-standard vaccination at lower cost, though records are typically in Chinese only.
Beyond vaccines
Preventive care for expats also means an annual checkup with blood work, dental cleaning twice a year, and knowing your blood type and allergies in Chinese. Save the 120 emergency number in your phone and keep your insurance card accessible.
One visit to an international health center can usually complete a full vaccination review and update — an hour well spent after arrival.