China to penalise 357 officials in major vaccine scandal

China today said it will penalise 357 officials implicated in a major case concerning the sale of improperly stored or expired vaccines, a month after 192 criminal cases were filed in the country's infamous vaccine scandal.
They will face punishments including losing their jobs or demotion, according to a decision made by the Cabinet.
So far 192 criminal cases have been filed nationwide and 202 people detained over the scandal, according to a statement issued after the cabinet meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.
More than 130 people were held and 69 criminal cases have been filed in China's infamous vaccine scandal last month which shook people's confidence in security and safe management of vital drugs in the country.

A large quantity of improperly stored or expired vaccines had allegedly been sold in more than 20 provincial-level regions since 2011, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
In one case a mother and daughter were arrested for illegal vaccine sales worth more than USD 88 million in 18 provinces.

Since 2011, the suspects have purchased 25 types of vaccines from more than 100 pharmaceutical salesmen, both licensed and unlicensed, and sold them to illegal agents or even local disease control and prevention centres at high prices, Jinan Public Security Bureau in Shandong Province said.
Though produced by qualified manufacturers, the quality of the vaccines was questionable as they were not transported in approved conditions.

Such vaccines have potential side-effects and can even cause disability or death, officials said.