China to launch nationwide vaccine tracking system next year

BEIJING -- China is expected to launch its nationwide vaccine tracking system in March next year, an official said Thursday.

The system will cover information on the entire supply chain of products of all domestic vaccine manufacturers and vaccination information from health departments, said Yan Jiangying, deputy director of the National Medical Products Administration.

The establishment of the national system will integrate the whole process of vaccine production, circulation and vaccination so that vaccines can be trackable, Yan said.

The system will enable improved visibility into order status, shipment status, and provider inventory of vaccines, for authorities to better supervise, according to Yan.