- Pfizer has discovered at least two cases of fake COVID vaccines, the company said on Wednesday.
- In Mexico, about 80 people paid $ 1,000 each for fake COVID vaccines, according to the WSJ.
- In Poland, vials containing anti-wrinkle treatments were allegedly transmitted in the form of COVID fires.
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Fake coronavirus vaccines appear, the first two cases in Mexico and Poland, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said on Wednesday.
In Mexico, about 80 people reportedly paid $ 1,000 a piece for a shot that was promoted as a Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19, according to the Wall Street Journal. In Poland, a man with bottles of what appeared to be an anti-wrinkle treatment was given it as a vaccine; was caught before any shots were fired, local WSJ officials said.
Pfizer confirmed the report in an email to Insider on Wednesday.
“Pfizer has identified counterfeit versions of its COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico and Poland,” the statement said. “We are aware that in this type of environment – fueled by the ease and convenience of e-commerce and the anonymity offered by the Internet – there will be an increase in the prevalence of fraud, counterfeiting and other illicit activities regarding vaccines and treatments for VOCID -19. “
The statement points out that “no legitimate vaccine is sold online” and says the company is working with “governments, law enforcement, health care providers and others to combat this illegal trade.”
Read more: EXCLUSIVE: A research and development leader from GlaxoSmithKline leaves the company, which is the world leader in vaccines
Pfizer, along with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna, are the three primary manufacturers of COVID vaccines. All three are working with law enforcement globally to control the false distribution of the vaccine.
Interpol said it had seized thousands of bottles of the counterfeit coronavirus vaccine in raids earlier this year in South Africa and China. No fake photos were found in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
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