The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has raised the alarm over the rise in the activities of criminal gangs advertising and selling fake COVID-19 vaccines, especially online.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Interpol Secretary General, Jürgen Stock issued a warning to its 194-member countries, including Nigeria, about threat from organised crime groups during upcoming COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, including fake vaccines and the theft of supplies.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has so far identified 49 “candidate vaccines” at the stage of clinical trials in humans as the need for a vaccine has become more urgent globally.
According to Stock, “as governments are preparing to roll out vaccines, criminal organisations are planning to infiltrate or disrupt supply chains.”
He said 3,000 websites associated with online pharmacies were suspected of selling fake medicines and medical devices.
The Interpol boss advised residents of its 194-member countries to take special care when going online to search for medical equipment or medicines.
“Criminal networks will also be targeting unsuspecting members of the public via fake websites and false cures, which could pose a significant risk to their health, even their lives.
“It is essential that law enforcement is as prepared as possible for what will be an onslaught of all types of criminal activity linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is why Interpol has issued this global warning,” Stock said.
He, therefore, stressed the need for coordination between law enforcement and health regulatory bodies to ensure the safety of individuals and wellbeing of communities are protected.
Hopes are high that shots could be ready for use before the end of the year as two frontrunner vaccines – by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer – already reported that phase 3 trials for their mRNA vaccine showed 95 per cent efficacy in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers. (TV360Nigeria)
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