CHINA- Over eight babies have died after being vaccinated against hepatitis B in China.

Chinese health experts are currently investigating the cause of the death of babies that received the vaccination in a government immunization programme.

Investigators have been sent to the company that produces the vaccines.

The investigation was launched after babies were reported to have died shortly after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine made by BioKangtai, a drug manufacturer in the southern city of Shenzhen.

Analysis shows that four babies died in the southern province of Guangdong, two babies in Human province and another in Sichuan, while one died in Meishan City, Sichuan last Monday, less than 24 hours after receiving a hepatitis B vaccine made by a different company.

Many Chinese are sceptical about the government's safety assurances due to numerous cover-ups in the past such as an outbreak of the Sars virus in 2002, observers say.

Hepatitis B is a chronic liver infection that is spread through the blood or bodily fluids of infected people. It can cause liver inflammation and jaundice.