Ministry Alerts Health Institutions Of Fake COVID-19 Vaccine In Circulation

The Ministry of Health has alerted all tertiary health
institutions in Nigeria of the circulation of fake COVID-19 vaccine
in Africa and the need to be on the look out.

The ministry also dispelled any possibility of COVID-19 vaccines
being available for sale or being administered by any unauthorised
institution in the country.

This was contained in a circular issued by the ministry’s
Director, Department of Hospital Services, Dr. Adebimpe Adeblyi, on
behalf of the minister, Osagie Ehanire.

The circular dated March 26, 2021, a copy of which our
correspondent sighted on Saturday was addressed to Chief Medical
Directors/Medical Directors of federal tertiary health
institutions.

Titled “Report of fake COVID-19 vaccine destined for Africa
arrested in China,” the circular has C.1693/P&P/T/22 as its
reference number.

The ministry noted that to forestall importation of fake vaccine
into Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service has designated the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as the only point of entry for
imported COVID-19 vaccines.

The circular read, “The Ministry is in receipt of a letter from
the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of
about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines which were Africa-bound
from China.

“The report further indicates that the fake COVID-19 vaccines
are already in circulation in Africa.

“To prevent the importation of fake vaccines, kindly note that
the Nigeria Customs Service has designated Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport as the only Point of Entry for imported
COVID-19 vaccines.

“I am therefore to bring this to your notice and dispel any
possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being available for sale or being
administered by any unauthorised institution.

“Please accept the assurances of my best regards.”

Recall that the International Criminal Police Organisation and
the United States’ Homeland Security Investigations had warned the
public against purchasing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments
online.

With criminal groups producing, distributing and selling fake
vaccines, they said the risks to the public can include buying a
product which only does not protect against COVID-19, but poses a
serious health hazard if ingested or injected.

Such products are not tested, regulated or safety-checked, the
warning published on INTERPOl’s website said.

The Ministry of Health has alerted all tertiary health
institutions in Nigeria of the circulation of fake COVID-19 vaccine
in Africa and the need to be on the look out.

The ministry also dispelled any possibility of COVID-19 vaccines
being available for sale or being administered by any unauthorised
institution in the country.

This was contained in a circular issued by the ministry’s
Director, Department of Hospital Services, Dr. Adebimpe Adeblyi, on
behalf of the minister, Osagie Ehanire.

The circular dated March 26, 2021, a copy of which our
correspondent sighted on Saturday was addressed to Chief Medical
Directors/Medical Directors of federal tertiary health
institutions.

Titled “Report of fake COVID-19 vaccine destined for Africa
arrested in China,” the circular has C.1693/P&P/T/22 as its
reference number.

The ministry noted that to forestall importation of fake vaccine
into Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service has designated the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as the only point of entry for
imported COVID-19 vaccines.

The circular read, “The Ministry is in receipt of a letter from
the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of
about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines which were Africa-bound
from China.

“The report further indicates that the fake COVID-19 vaccines
are already in circulation in Africa.

“To prevent the importation of fake vaccines, kindly note that
the Nigeria Customs Service has designated Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport as the only Point of Entry for imported
COVID-19 vaccines.

“I am therefore to bring this to your notice and dispel any
possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being available for sale or being
administered by any unauthorised institution.

“Please accept the assurances of my best regards.”

Recall that the International Criminal Police Organisation and
the United States’ Homeland Security Investigations had warned the
public against purchasing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments
online.

With criminal groups producing, distributing and selling fake
vaccines, they said the risks to the public can include buying a
product which only does not protect against COVID-19, but poses a
serious health hazard if ingested or injected.

Such products are not tested, regulated or safety-checked, the
warning published on INTERPOl’s website said.