Fake COVID-19 vaccines – some sold for $ 1,000 per injection and with an anti-wrinkle ingredient – have been found in black markets around the world, Pfizer confirmed to The Wall Street Journal.
“Pfizer has identified counterfeit versions of its COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico and Poland,” the company said in a statement. “We are aware that in these types of environments – fueled by the ease and convenience of e-commerce and anonymity offered by the Internet – there will be an increase in the prevalence of fraud, counterfeit products and other illegal activities related to vaccines and treatments. for COVID-19. “
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Six people were detained in Mexico during a police raid on a clinic in February after about 80 people paid $ 1,000 for a fake dose of Pfizer from bottles with fraudulent labels kept in beer coolers.
The New York-based pharmaceutical giant detected the vaccine’s fraud with microscopic tools and special light.
There were no reports of physical harm from the people who received injections.
“People were injected with distilled water,” a health secretary told the newspaper.
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A suspect in Poland was charged with fraud after an undetermined quantity of Pfizer bottles was discovered in his apartment.
The fake vaccine, which was reportedly not given to humans, contained hyaluronic acid, a skin care material used to combat aging.
The Pfizer statement added that “no legitimate vaccine is sold online.”
Pfizer said it is working with “governments, law enforcement, health care providers and others to combat this illegal trade.”
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The Pfizer vaccine, which is 95% effective in an ongoing phase 3 study, is used in 88 countries around the world. As of Tuesday, 111.59 million doses of Pfizer have been administered worldwide.
In the United States, Pfizer has delivered 142,177,425 doses for use; 113,104,771 Pfizer doses have been administered; 43,276,992 have been fully vaccinated in the US with the Pfizer vaccine.