DILG warns LGUs, public against fake Pfizer anti-COVID vaccine

In the middle of the national vaccination program against COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Saturday warned local government units  and the public against "fake Pfizer" vaccine.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año called on the all local LGU officials down to the barangay level to be on guard after the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert that possibly fake Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines are out in the market.

Particularly, Año cautioned local executives about their "vaccine sources or chain of supply and ensure that all medical products particularly COVID-19 vaccines must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers."

“While there is no information yet on the presence of the fake vaccines in the country, LGUs should exercise increased diligence as these fake vaccines may be dangerous to the health of those who get inoculated,” Año added. 

Recently, WHO issued a global medical product alert on a falsified COVID-19 vaccine with the product name “BNT162b2” which claims to be manufactured by Pfizer Biontech.

Moreover, it added that the said product contains the lot number “783201” and stated an expiry date of “AUG 24.”

In its global alert, WHO said the fake vaccine, which was first discovered in Mexico, “deliberately and fraudulently misrepresents its identity, composition or source”.

WHO is still conducting laboratory analysis of the contents and will provide updates as soon as the results are available.

On the other hand, Año has directed the Philippine National Police to provide the necessary assistance in investigating and confiscating these fake COVID-19 vaccines.

“Inatasan ko na ang PNP na tutukan ang isyu tungkol sa pekeng bakuna para walang mapahamak sa paggamit nito.” 

Likewise, he called on the public to immediately report any information on the presence or use of BNT162b2 in the country to the National Task Force Vaccine Cluster through the e-mail address c19vaccineopcen@gmail.com or mobile number +639178237310. —LBG, GMA News