Chennai: The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that fake Covishield vaccine doses have been seized in India and Uganda.
“The genuine manufacturer of Covishield (Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.) has confirmed that the products listed in this alert are falsified. These falsified products have been reported at the patient level in Uganda and India,” WHO said.
WHO said the products were confirmed as falsified on the basis that they deliberately/ fraudulently misrepresent their identity, composition or source.
Urging for increased vigilance, WHO said the use of genuine Covid-19 vaccines should be in accordance with official guidance from national regulatory authorities.
The Union Health Ministry has said it is investigating the matter. “Although we have a strong system to prevent such cases, with this development, the only thing we want to ensure is that no Indian received a fake vaccine. A vaccination certificate that we give has proper details about the vaccine administered such as batch number, manufacturing details, and adverse reactions. More so, the supply chains are also strictly monitored. We have not received any complaint from anywhere in India so far. We are investigating the matter,” a senior Health Ministry official told BBC on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Serum Institute of Indi’s (SII) chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla has said that a third shot or a ābooster doseā of Covid-19 vaccine is desirable six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine. This is especially a ‘must’ for those with weak immune systems.
Poonawalla also revealed that he, along with 7,000 employees of SII, have already taken the third dose of the vaccine as a precautionary measure.