Pharmaceutical company Pfizer says it has identified the first confirmed instances of counterfeit versions of the COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico and Poland as criminals try to exploit the world-wide vaccination campaign, reported Fox News.
“Pfizer has identified counterfeit versions of its COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico and Poland,” the company said in a statement. “We are cognizant that in this type of environment – fueled by the ease and convenience of e-commerce and anonymity afforded by the internet – there will be an increase in the prevalence of fraud, counterfeit and other illicit activity as it relates to vaccines and treatments for COVID-19,” reported Fox News.
Vials were tested by the company in separate investigations using microscopic tools and special light to detect the fraud, after vials were seized by authorities.
In both instances, the company confirmed the vials contained phony vaccines.
The version found in Mexico had fraudulent labeling, while those found in Poland likely contained anti-wrinkle treatment, Pfizer said, according to Fox News.
A clinic in Mexico received the fake vaccine was sold at a cost of $1,000 a dose. The clinic reported 80 people received the fake vaccine, but apparently no one suffered injuries. “People were injected with distilled water,” a health secretary told the Journal.
The vials were stored in beach-style beer coolers, and their lot numbers and expiration dates did not match those in possession of the state, said Dr. Manuel de la O Cavazos, the health secretary of Nuevo León state, reported The Wall Street Journal.
Six people were detained in Mexico during a February police raid at a clinic, added Fox News.
A suspect in Poland was charged with fraud after an unspecified amount of Pfizer vaccine was discovered in his apartment. The fake vaccine was not dispensed to any people and contained hyaluronic acid, a skin-care material used to fight aging, according to Fox News.
In the United States, Pfizer has delivered 142,177,425 doses for use, 113,104,771 Pfizer doses have been administered, and 43,276,992 individuals have been fully vaccinated with vaccine.
Source: Newmax
