Better access to proven public health interventions, including vaccines, is needed in the public sector in China. Vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza are not part of routine childhood vaccination programs in many countries worldwide [63, 64] ; none of these vaccines are included in the routine childhood immunization schedule in mainland China. However, Hib and influenza vaccines are commonly available in many parts of China through vaccination clinics, and Hong Kong SAR is the first region in China, as well as Asia, where pneumococcal conjugate vaccine will be included in their routine childhood immunization program starting September 2009 [65] . In addition, Hong Kong SAR recommends seasonal influenza vaccine use in high risk groups. Vaccine clinical trials in other countries have estimated that 21% of radiologically confirmed pneumonia is caused by Hib [66] and 36% by pneumococcus [66, 67] ; over 10% of hospitalized pneumonia in children in nearby Thailand are due to influenza [68] . Studies within China have suggested that Hib and pneumococcus are common causes of pneumonia in children [69, 70, 71] , suggesting that widespread use of these two vaccines, as well as influenza vaccine, could reduce the incidence and mortality of pneumonia in China.