No problems with hepatitis vaccine

No problems have been found with a hepatitis B vaccine which was suspected of causing the deaths of 17 children after they received injections, China's health authorities said Friday.

Samples of 1,315 vaccine shots manufactured in six batches by domestic producer BioKangtai had been tested as of Jan. 14, the China Food and Drug Administration and the National Health and Family Planning Commission said in a joint statement.

All samples met the standards of enterprise registration and the national pharmacopoeia, the two agencies said.

Analysis showed the 17 deaths had nothing to do with the vaccine. The possibility of another child, who was discharged from hospital, suffering a reaction from the vaccine has not been ruled out.

The 17 deaths were due to various problems, including severe pneumonia, kidney failure and suffocation, according to the statement.

Authorities have resumed the use of BioKangtai's hepatitis B vaccines.