Suspected vaccine-related deaths rise to 8

A newborn died on Monday morning in southwest China's Sichuan province following hepatitis B vaccination, bringing the number of suspected vaccine-related deaths to 8 in the country.

The baby died at about 7:55 a.m. on Monday at a hospital in Meishan city after receiving a hepatitis B vaccination on Sunday afternoon, according to a statement from the Dongpo district health bureau on Tuesday.

The infant's parents found the baby's face had turned blue at about 7:25 a.m. on Monday. The newborn died 30 minutes later after emergency treatment failed, according to the statement.

The baby was born at about 5 p.m. on Saturday and was in normal condition. The baby received a hepatitis B vaccination at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, the statement quoted the child's parents as saying.

The vaccine was manufactured by Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Co. Ltd., a major supplier of free hepatitis B vaccine, according to the bureau.

The cause of the death can only be confirmed after autopsy, according to the bureau.

To date, eight infants have died following hepatitis B vaccination since November, including four in south China's Guangdong Province, two in central China's Hunan Province and two in Sichuan Province, according to Chinese health authorities.

The seven other infants received hepatitis B vaccines made by Biokangtai,a Shenzhen drug manufacturer.

A circular on Friday issued by China's top health, drug and food administration authorities ordered suspension of Biokangtai vaccine.