‘All involved in China’s massive vaccine scandal must be caught’: China’s top prosecutor vows in-depth probe
At least 300 dealers in 24 provinces allegedly bought or sold the expired or improperly stored vaccines; over 130 people have been detained so far
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 26 March, 2016, 9:58am
UPDATED : Saturday, 26 March, 2016, 11:02am
Mimi Lau
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China’s top prosecutor Cao Jianming has vowed to launch an in-depth investigation into the case of improperly stored vaccines and track down all criminals and officials involved in the biggest public health scandal to rock the country since 2008.
State broadcaster CCTV showed Cao in a teleconference urging local prosecutors involved in the case to liaise with food and drug administrations as well as public security authorities to launch an investigation and penalise those found guilty according to the law.
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The vaccine scandal came to light after a mother and daughter from Jinan, Shandong province, were arrested for *allegedly having sold 25 types of vaccines worth 570 million yuan (HK$680 million) on the black market since early 2010. The vaccines were not properly stored.
Authorities check vaccines stored in the local Centre for Disease Control in Guangxi. Photo: EPA
About 300 dealers in 24 provinces allegedly bought the vaccines from or sold them to the mother and daughter. Since the news broke of the scandal, more than 130 people have been detained, authorities said.
Among the dozens of vaccines traded were those used to combat chicken pox, rabies, meningitis and hepatitis A. They were made by licensed manufacturers but had either expired or were not adequately refrigerated, according to authorities.
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Meanwhile, more than 40 lawyers across the nation have vowed to represent victims of the scandal on a pro bono basis to help them seek compensation.
The 42 lawyers from 13 provinces have put their names and contact numbers on a list that is still growing, along with guidelines including required evidence for victims to seek compensation.
“The extensive reach of the questionable vaccines and the problem’s long duration are shocking. It is also painful to see how the scandal has revealed gaps in authorities’ monitoring,” the lawyers’ statement said.
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“The scandal has created social panic on a certain level.”
It added that the lawyers would do all they could to provide free legal counselling and advice to those who needed the service.
