BEIJING, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have emphasized the importance of epidemic prevention and control during the winter and spring seasons, especially during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays.

       All localities and departments should implement all prevention and control measures well and maintain overall stability in the epidemic situation during the coming holidays, according to a recent circular released by China's State Council inter-agency task force for epidemic response.

       Epidemic control efforts should be focused on the Spring Festival travel rush and tourist activities, as well as on key populations and institutions, said the document.

       It also stressed advancing vaccination for high-risk populations of infectious diseases, including the elderly and those with chronic underlying diseases.