Health Canada is warning not to buy COVID-19 vaccines sold on the Internet or from unauthorized sources since they are fake.
In a Wednesday safety notice, the government agency warns, “counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines may pose serious health risks, and are ineffective at protecting an individual from the coronavirus.”
The alert follows the release of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week in Canada and the securing of a vaccine from Moderna.
The problem is not unique to our country.
Health Canada adds, “The International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL, has issued a global alert to law enforcement across its 194 member countries warning them of this issue.”
What consumers should do
- Do not buy or use COVID-19 vaccines sold on the internet or from unauthorized sources as they are counterfeit, may pose risks to health, and are ineffective at protecting an individual from the COVID-19 virus.
- The only way to access safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is through clinics organized or endorsed by your local public health authority, in collaboration with Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments.
- Consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Report any information on the sale or advertising of potential counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines to Health Canada
- Visit reliable and trusted sources of information, like the Government of Canada’s websites ca/vaccines and Canada.ca/coronavirus, and your local public health authority’s website.
- Report any health product adverse events to Health Canada
