China to revaccinate more children subjected to substandard vaccines

Health authorities will revaccinate more children who used substandard DPT vaccines, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday.

The revaccination will follow the principle of "being informed, voluntary and free of charge," according to a document jointly issued by the commission and State Drug Administration.

Two batches of DPT vaccines produced by Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Limited were found to be "unqualified."

DPT refers to a combination of vaccines against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

Children who used the first batch of unqualified vaccines, labeled "201605014-01," have been revaccinated since February.

Parents are encouraged to check the vaccination records of their children and go to health departments if they find their children used the second batch, labeled "201605014-02," the document said.

The health departments of Hebei, Shandong, Anhui provinces and Chongqing Municipality, where substandard DPT vaccines were mostly sold, will take charge of the re-vaccination supervised by the commission, the statement said.