Batch of DPT vaccines in China found substandard

Investigation by Chinese officials into recent vaccine scandal revealed that a batch of DPT vaccines was substandard.

DPT refers to a combination of vaccines for three infectious diseases -- diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus -- which are given to children.

China also exports DPT vaccines.

The batch of DPT vaccines, produced in July 2016 by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, was proved substandard due to a short-term equipment failure, which resulted in improper distribution of active constituent in the vaccines, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the findings of an investigation by officials into the recent vaccine scandal.

The official findings showed the company failed to take into account the malfunction and make targeted tests on the quality of its products during internal inspections.

The scare over the faulty scandal raised serious concerns in China.

Subsequent reports of faulty rabies vaccines have also created panic among public.

Authorities have launched a nationwide campaign to provide medical consultation and free inoculation of rabies vaccines.

Rabies vaccines made by the Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Company, the second largest in China, found to have violated national standards including usage of expired fluids and falsified production dates.

The vaccines were also widely exported including to India.

The Drug Controller General of India, early this month, ordered an immediate withdrawal of rabies vaccines from the market and have also banned its imports from a Chinese manufacturer that allegedly fabricated records.

The defective DPT vaccines were not chosen in the random test of the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) before being permitted to enter the market.

The NIFDC found in later tests last year that the effectiveness of the vaccine against pertussis did not meet national standards, the report said.

The results of the findings of a probe into a previous investigation of substandard DPT vaccines produced by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd was released yesterday.

"The SDA (State Drug Administration) and related government agencies will demand the rectification of the wrongdoings, hold accountable involved company and supervisory departments, conduct re-vaccination for children affected, and release results to the public in a timely manner," the inspectors said.