Fake COVID-19 vaccines discovered in South Africa

South African authorities have seized hundreds of falsified COVID-19 vaccine vials containing thousands of doses, in another example of criminals exploiting the pandemic.

Some 400 ampoules – equivalent to around 2,400 doses – containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng.

According to Interpol, which issued a warning in December that coronavirus vaccines would be a prime target for criminal networks, the authorities officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M face masks and arrested three Chinese nationals as well as a Zambian national.

There’s no word on how any people may have received the fraudulent injections, which could put them at risk of serious side effects such as infections if the vials were not produced in a sterile environment.

Interpol is linking the case to a recent operation in China, in which police identified a network selling tens of thousands of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines that turned out to be vials filled with saline solution or mineral water.

Chinese police took more than 80 people into custody after raiding a manufacturing premises in Beijing and seized more than 3,000 fake vaccines on the scene.

There’s no word on how any people may have received the fraudulent injections, which could put them at risk of serious side effects such as infections if the vials were not produced in a sterile environment.

“Whilst we welcome this result, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine related crime,” said Interpol secretary general Jürgen Stock in a statement.

Investigations are continuing, and in addition to the arrests in South Africa and China, the agency says it is also receiving additional reports of fake vaccine distribution and scam attempts targeting health bodies, such as nursing homes.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said: “The Chinese government attaches great importance to vaccine security. Chinese police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and crack down on crimes related to vaccines, proactively investigating and combating crimes related to vaccines in accordance with law.”

“We will further strengthen the constructive cooperation with Interpol and law enforcement agencies of other countries to effectively prevent such crimes.”