Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 27) — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday listed ways to spot fake vaccines following reports that counterfeit COVID-19 shots were illegally distributed in other countries such as Mexico.
Dr. Oscar Gutierrez, deputy director general for Field Regulatory Operations at the FDA, admitted that “sometimes, a laboratory test is the only way to identify the difference” between a fake and authentic vaccine. But he enumerated tips to help people identify fake shots.
-It is not correctly labeled or has no label at all
-There is no expiration date indicated
-It does not contain information on how to store the product
-The packaging looks poorly constructed or appears to have been altered
-There are spelling or grammatical errors on the packaging or instructions on how to use the shot
-Vials are dirty or have scratches
-Cap has a dent or is broken
-Rubber seals are punctured
-Foreign materials are found in the vial
Gutierrez warned that vaccines bought from unauthorized sources “can lead to infection, severe disease, permanent disability or death.”
The warning came after the World Health Organization reported that counterfeit Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to people outside the authorized vaccination programs in Mexico. WHO added the fake Pfizer shots “may still be in circulation in the region.”
Gutierrez also said ampules of fake COVID-19 vaccines were seized in a warehouse in South Africa.
The FDA official said they are intensifying their surveillance efforts to make sure that no fake COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed in the Philippines.
Four COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for emergency use locally — the ones made by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, and Gamaleya. They cannot be sold in clinics, hospitals, or drug outlets. They are given for free through the COVID-19 vaccination program of the government.
