On March 22, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ordered a detailed investigation into the vaccine scandal under the supervision of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and pledged to hold culpable officials accountable.
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At least 357 officials implicated in a case concerning the sale of improperly stored or expired vaccines would be penalised, Chinese state council said on Wednesday.
It cited a report by China’s Cabinet, the State Council, that says 192 criminal cases have been filed nationwide and 202 people have been detained as part of the sweeping probe.
The new restrictions will include the ban of individuals from operating any vaccine business if they illegally sold or transported vaccines.
Public fury erupted over authorities’ delay in publicising the case, which only came to light last month despite the two key suspects, a mother and daughter from Shandong province in eastern China, being arrested in April 2015.
The supervision and regulatory system would be tightened, with better record keeping for the production, storing and transport of vaccines and tougher punishments for lawbreakers.
Risk evaluations involving people having used the vaccines in question must be conducted as soon as possible, with the results publicized in a timely manner and the aftermath handled properly, it said.
Fines for illegal vaccine sales or storage will be increased, while government officials who fail at oversight will be required to resign, Xinhua said.
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The improper handling may have ruined the vaccines, leaving children unprotected against the diseases they targeted, though they don’t pose a wider danger to public health, according to experts.
