Objective To investigate the vaccination rate and demographic distribution of foreign children’s immunization under national immunization program (NIP) in Yiwu City, and to provide basis for promoting the vaccination level of foreign children.

Methods Immunization data of foreign children aged 0‒7 years old in Yiwu City was collected from Zhejiang Immunization Planning Smart Service Information System, and which were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods.

Results A total of 914 foreign children aged 0‒7 years old were registered in Yiwu’s information system, and the vaccination rate of foreign children under NIP ranging from 52.42% to 92.62%, while the vaccination rate of foreign children not under NIP was from 49.75% to 76.66%. There was no statistically difference in the vaccination rates between boys and girls. The vaccination rate of foreign children born in foreign hospitals was lower than that in domestic hospitals (P=0.007). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age, place of residence and place of birth were the correlated factors that might affect the immunization coverage rate of foreign children (P=0.016).

Conclusion The immunization coverage rate of foreign children under NIP in Yiwu City is low, with the uptake of epidemic meningitis A polysaccharide vaccine being particularly low. Therefore, it is suggested that the vaccination propaganda and guidance should be strengthened for foreign registered children aged 3‒5 years and those born in foreign hospitals.