China starts inspection of vaccinations

To enhance management of vaccines, the NHFPC has also revised its health supervision rules to demand inspections on purchases, storage and transport records of vaccines as well as vaccination records.[Photo/Xinhua]

China's health authorities have started an inspection of vaccinations nationwide this month, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) announced Friday.

According to the NHFPC, authorities will keep track of purchases and distribution of vaccines as well as vaccination records to ensure legal trade and use of properly handled vaccines.

All disease control and prevention control agencies nationwide are subject to the inspection, and at least 20 percent of hospitals and clinics providing vaccination services will undergo random checks, the NHFPC added.

To enhance management of vaccines, the NHFPC has also revised its health supervision rules to demand inspections on purchases, storage and transport records of vaccines as well as vaccination records.

A scandal broke in March in which millions of dollars' worth of improperly stored or expired vaccines were sold to patients nationwide.

Following the scandal, the country has carried out a series of measures to fix the loopholes in the distribution of vaccines, including banning drug wholesalers from selling vaccines and reforming distribution channels for the country's non-compulsory vaccines.