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.
Customs seizes 76 boxes of suspected counterfeit HPV vaccines in Hong Kong
Authorities are conducting an investigation on the case.
HPV increases the risk of cervical cancer – among other diseases – in women. The cancer is the seventh most-common cancer to affect local women in 2016. That year, there were 510 new cervical cancer cases.
In a press conference held earlier this month, the department said the Kwun Tong medical centre was raided after authorities received a complaint from a client who had very mild redness and swelling in the injected area after receiving an HPV shot.
The Tsim Sha Tsui facility was also raided after the department received a complaint on problematic vaccines.
A total of five people across the centres were arrested in the operations.
The department urged the public to seek advice from health care professionals if they felt unwell after receiving HPV vaccines or if they were in doubt over such procedures.
