China has a classified compensation mechanism for Category 1 and Category 2 vaccines when abnormal response occurs. This mechanism gives rise to fairness problems because there should be no compensational difference between Category 1 and Category 2 vaccines, thus calling for a new compensational standard. This paper makes a discussion on the principle and standard for reclassifying vaccines and gives suggestions on the compensational model for abnormal responses. 2005 witnessed the enactment

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... Regulations on the Management of Vaccine Circulation and Vaccination by the Chinese government. It classified all vaccines into two categories: Category 1, free of charge, inoculated by citizens according to the requirements of the governments, includes vaccines on the State Immunization Programs, the added vaccines by provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities when implementing the National Immunization Programs, as well as vaccines for contingency vaccination by People's government above the county level or health administrative sectors, and vaccines for Mass Vaccination. Category 2 refers to vaccines that are not free, and residents can choose whether they want to be inoculated. Once abnormal response occurs following vaccination, compensations are different on the basis of the categories. As for abnormal response caused by Category 1, its compensation, a one-time compensation, comes from Financial Departments under the People's Governments of Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities' vaccination expenses. Abnormal response caused by Category 2, its compensation is covered by vaccine companies.