Lab tests confirm HPV vaccines seized from two private medical centres in Hong Kong are fake
- Samples were uncovered in joint operation between health and customs authorities earlier this month, with five arrested
- One batch found to contain sodium and chloride, common in saline solution
Laboratory tests have confirmed that vaccines for the human papillomavirus (HPV) earlier seized from two private medical centres in Hong Kong are indeed fake but with no hazardous substances.
The Department of Health made the announcement of the interim results on Wednesday after joint operations with customs on July 10 and 12. In the first case, 76 boxes of suspected counterfeit vaccines were found in a Kwun Tong medical centre, while another 162 boxes of supplies were uncovered at a facility in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Samples of the products were sent to laboratories for analysis. Tests showed that while they did not contain hazardous impurities or particulate matters, there were no traces of HPV vaccines.
“The results revealed that the samples did not contain [elements] of the HPV vaccine,” the health department stated in a press release.
“The test results further revealed that samples seized from a medical centre in Kwun Tong contained sodium and chloride, which are commonly found in saline solution.”
Results of a sterility test on the samples were still pending and expected to be available by middle of next month.