Shortage hampers inoculations of infants

Supplies of a popular combination vaccine for infants used to prevent five infectious diseases have run out in many Chinese cities. Authorities in Beijing are taking measures to get more.

The vaccine - a mixed product that vaccinates against five diseases - is the only such product available on the Chinese mainland, and is used for children younger than 18 months to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib, according to the China Food and Drug Administration.

Called Pentaxim, it is produced by French pharmaceutical company Sanofi.