China will launch a national project to increase vaccinations against infectious diseases, the Ministry of Health said Friday.

The central government has allocated 1.827 billion yuan (about US$269 million) to buy vaccines and injectors, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Local governments will also fund the project.

The project will boost vaccinations against diseases including Hepatitis B, tuberculosis and polio.

Separately, the ministry Friday also announced a project to help ease the trauma of the survivors of the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

The project will provide psychological counseling and conduct publicity campaigns about mental health.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2010)