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Suspects detained

According to Changchun police, 15 suspects from Changchun Changsheng Bio-tech Co, including the company's chairwoman surnamed Gao, were put under criminal detention over the vaccine scandal. Further investigation is underway.

Those responsible for vaccine scandal to be held accountable, vow Jilin and Shandong authorities

People involved in a vaccine scandal will be held accountable in line with Party discipline and the law, Jilin and Shandong provinces' authorities said on Tuesday.

"We've paid high attention to the vaccine case at Changchun Changsheng Bio-tech Co, and we'll strictly implement requirements of the central leadership to deal with the case," Jilin provincial commissions for discipline inspection and supervision said in a joint statement posted on the website of the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

In a later statement on the website on the same day, Shandong authorities made a similar promise.

Shandong provincial disciplinary and supervisory commissions said that they have established a team to investigate those allegedly involved in corruption in the vaccine scandal.

The province would strictly implement the vaccine-related orders of the central leadership, and severely punish anyone found guilty of dereliction of duty, the provincial commissions for discipline inspection and supervision said in a statement posted on the website of the Communist Party of China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission.

"We are paying high attention to the case and no leniency will be given. We'll take strong action against those who harm people's safety and interest," the provincial commissions said in the statement.

Shandong also said that the special team has begun investigating the vaccine scandal. The team was set up on Sunday and was headed by a deputy secretary of the provincial discipline watchdog.

On Monday, President Xi Jinping demanded a thorough investigation of the vaccine scandal and severe punishments for those responsible. He also called for improvements to the country's vaccine management system to protect public safety.

The Jilin commissions said they had reviewed problems, clues and reports about the company and ordered the disciplinary department in Changchun, the provincial capital, and the disciplinary team at the Jilin Food and Drug Administration to strictly punish anyone guilty of dereliction of duty.

The Jilin commissions have also established a team to investigate potential corruption during the company's reorganization, production and operation, it added.

Vaccine safety is in the spotlight again after an announcement by the State Drug Administration last week that Changsheng Bio-tech, a major vaccine producer, fudged production records for a rabies vaccine for human use.

The administration has ordered the company to halt production, and police in Changchun have launched an investigation.