- Pfizer has discovered at least two cases of fake COVID vaccines, the company said Wednesday.
- According to the WSJ, about 80 people in Mexico paid $ 1,000 each for fake COVID vaccines.
- In Poland, vials of anti-wrinkle treatments were reportedly passed on as COVID injections.
- Visit Insider’s Business section for more stories.
Fake coronavirus vaccines are popping up, with the first two in Mexico and Poland, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said Wednesday.
In Mexico, about 80 people reportedly paid $ 1,000 each for an injection advertised as Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Wall Street Journal. In Poland, a man with vials of what appeared to be anti-wrinkle treatment passed it on as a vaccine; he was caught before any shots were administered, local authorities told the WSJ.
Pfizer confirmed the report in an emailed statement 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 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. “
The statement stressed that “no legitimate vaccine is being sold online” and said the company is working with “governments, law enforcement, health care providers and others to combat this illegal trade.”
Read more: EXCLUSIVE: A leading research and development manager at GlaxoSmithKline leaves company, which is the world’s vaccine leader
Pfizer, along with Johnson & Johnson and Moderna, is the top three producers of COVID vaccines. All three are working with law enforcement around the world to monitor the distribution of fake vaccines.
Interpol said it seized thousands of vials of counterfeit coronavirus vaccine earlier this year in raids on South Africa and China. According to the Department of Homeland Security, no fake shots have been discovered in the United States.
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