BEIJING -- Vaccination among students should occur according to the basic principles of informed consent and voluntariness, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission said on Sunday.

The commission said, in a statement, that it opposes mandatory vaccination or taking vaccination as a prerequisite for students to participate in classes and activities in schools and kindergartens.

The safety and health of students should always receive top priority, the commission said, adding that the vaccination work should be carried out steadily and orderly under the guidance of disease control and prevention department.