MoH warns against fraud in COVID-19 vaccine sale
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The Interpol and the police of China and South Africa have arrested many traffickers of fake COVID-19 vaccines. The Interpol also received reports on distribution of fake vaccines and fraudulent activities targeting health authorities of various countries.
In Vietnam, a number of domestic and foreign organizations and companies have recently sent documents and offered the Ministry of Health to sell COVID-19 vaccines produced by Moderna or AstraZeneca. However, the manufacturers of the vaccines have stated they have not entrusted the organizations and companies to distribute the vaccines.
AstraZeneca wrote to the Vietnamese Health Ministry on March 1, affirming that the firm has so far provided the vaccines to only global initiative Covax, UNICEF and Vietnam Vaccine Joint-Stock Company; except for the three organizations, it has not authorized any other businesses, individuals or organizations to supply the Covid-19 vaccine of AstraZeneca in Vietnam.
Other COVID-19 vaccine producers namely Moderna Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson, have made the same statement.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on February 15 warned governments to be on their guard against scammers offering to sell COVID-19 vaccines.
To ensure COVID-19 vaccines for all Vietnamese, the Health Ministry encourages all eligible businesses to approach and negotiate with suppliers around the world to import vaccines for domestic inoculation in accordance with the Government’s Resolution 21 dated February 26 on the purchase and use of COVID-19 vaccines.
The ministry called on businesses to be prudent and proactive in verifying information and ensuring legal, financial and commercial safety.
In case of necessity, businesses could seek help from the Ministries of Health, Public Security and Foreign Affairs to verify information related to the COVID-19 vaccine supply.
Negotiations or purchase of COVID-19 vaccine should be reported promptly to the MoH.
The ministry called on relevant countries and organizations share their information to actively combat fraud in COVID-19 vaccine purchase and sale.
