Last month, Indonesian police unearthed a drug-counterfeiting ring that had been selling fake vaccines for more than a decade. Now, health facilities are beginning revaccination efforts as new information on the scandal comes to light, according to Reuters.
The illegal business relied on stolen vials and forged labels to mask fake vaccines as imported immunizations from Britain-based GlaxoSmithKline and Paris-based Sanofi.
The fake vaccines — disguised as hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis inoculations — contained the antibiotic gentamicin and a saline solution. Health officials reassured the public that the vaccines were not harmful and only accounted for about 1 percent of total vaccines in the country.
While investigators are still trying to determine how widely the vaccines were used, they've identified about 200 children who need to receive a new inoculation. The country started revaccination efforts this week.
Currently, 28 healthcare facilities are suspected of buying the fake vaccines. Police have arrested almost 25 people in regards to the scam, including drugmakers, pharmacists, physicians and nurses.
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