Bobinator, you do know that disease existed prior to big pharma, right? You do know that millions died from even the most simple infections because nobody even knew about washing their hands before attending a wound, let alone without antibiotics? You do know that the average life expectancy has increased hugely, right? That people died in their 40s a couple of hundreds years ago, and women died in childbirth in swathes, and their children died with them? You do know that the simple infections that now can be treated by a vaccine have also killed millions? You do know that when people don't use vaccines, they risk infecting their own and other kids?
Oh, but let's follow China's example, because not having vaccines worked so well for us in the past.
And, you should know that travelers to China are advised to get Hepatitis shots, right, because the water has been known to carry Hepatitis?
You have to look at things from a historical perspective. For a very long time, China was closed off to the rest of the world, so of course the same diseases did not 'travel' the same way.
Interesting that this issue of ChinaDaily suggests that people get vaccinated for whooping cough.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2010-09/15/content_11305107.htm