The World Health Organization (WHO) called on Chinese parents to have their children vaccinated against measles and hepatitis B, as it commended China's efforts to improve vaccine safety and quality.

The WHO made the appeal at a joint press briefing with the Ministry of Health here Thursday, three days ahead of China's National Immunization Day on April 25.

This year's National Immunization Day focus is measles elimination and hepatitis B control.

"China has made many efforts to increase the safety and quality of its vaccines," said Dr Lisa Cairns, head of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) at WHO China.

Cairns said vaccination can lead to adverse effects on rare occasions, as with all medication, but the benefits provided by their use far outweighs the risks.

China began implementing the Expanded Immunization Program in 1992 and has provided free vaccines to all children to prevent 12 diseases, including measles, polio and tuberculosis.

The WHO said the program has almost eliminated hepatitis B among young children.

"China is strongly committed to eliminating measles," Cairns said.

Globally, measles is a leading cause of death among young children. WHO statistics suggest that between 2000 and 2008 measles vaccination resulted in a 78 percent decline in measles-related deaths around the world.