Vaccines are adequately refrigerated at a community health service center in Xiacheng district, Hangzhou, March 22. (Photo: China Daily/VCG)
Chinese prosecutors are investigating five health officials and workers for suspected wrongdoings in vaccine acquisition, according to the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).
Four health institute heads allegedly purchased vaccines via unlawful channels. Prosecutors in east China's Jiangsu Province began investigations on April 1, the SPP said Thursday in a statement.
In northeast China's Liaoning Province, a member of staff of epidemic prevention center allegedly bought low-price vaccines from an unapproved dealer.
On Wednesday, the State Council announced that 357 officials implicated in cases concerning the illegal sale of improperly stored vaccines would be punished. So far 192 criminal cases have been filed and 202 people detained over the scandal.