130 people are suspected of having put up for sale vaccines that are expired or improperly transported in China. WHO is asking the country for more controls.
After the media and health scandal, the World Health Organization (WHO) intervenes. The Chinese government arrested 130 people on March 24. Their fault: to have stored, transported illegally or in an unprecedented manner, and put on sale at least 20,000 doses of vaccines. Some were just out of date. At a press conference, the UN Health Agency called on the country to strengthen its controls on vaccines sold in the private sector.
According to the Agency New China, the vaccines were sold for a value of 570 million yuan – or about 78 million euros. At the head of this traffic, two main suspects: a mother and her daughter, both from Shandong province, in eastern China. Since 2010, they have reportedly sold 25 different products – including vaccines against polio, rabies, hepatitis B or influenza. Authorities have also identified 107 wholesalers who may have supplied the two women, and 193 retailers who may have been their customers.
No toxicity
“Vaccines that are in the private sector need to be controlled, stored, handled and distributed according to recognized standards,” said Lancet Rodewald, WHO vaccination specialist. The Chinese government itself has recognized flaws in this area. The UN Health Agency also intends to investigate the conditions for the distribution of vaccines in the public sector, although this sector is not questioned.
The WHO vaccination specialist reassured families: non-compliance with vaccination rules does not increase the toxicity of the products. In the worst case, children will not be protected against the targeted diseases. A new vaccination may be necessary.
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