China recalled over 100,000 doses of U.S.-made vaccines for children's meningitis due to sterilization concerns, the Chinese government said.

State Food and Drug Administration said in a statement posted on its Web site Sunday, Merck, a U.S. pharmaceutical firm and its China importer have recalled 104,930 doses vaccine because Merck cannot assure their sterility.

In a statement, it said that the suspected vaccines were distributed to eight municipalities and provinces, including Beijing in October.

Merck launched a global recall last week of 13 lots of the vaccine including the announcement in China. The recall involved about one million doses, it reported.