Inefficient government supervision and the dereliction of duty by officials are mainly to blame for the flaws in the vaccine distribution system exposed by the recent scandal of a criminal network selling improperly stored and expired vaccines.

The fact that the illegal network involved had been operating since 2011 shows problems exist in almost every stage of the vaccine system.

That is why at an executive meeting on Wednesday, the State Council, China's Cabinet, not only reiterated it would show zero tolerance toward those held accountable, but also announced tighter regulation of the storage, transportation and use of vaccines.