SAPS warns public to be wary of fake Covid vaccines and masks

THE SAPS is advising members of the public to be wary of unscrupulous people selling fake Covid-19 vaccines.

The warning follows action by police which resulted in a raid of a warehouse and the arrest of four people in contravention of the Counterfeit Goods Act, contravention of the Customs and Excise Act as well as contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

About 2 400 doses of a fake vaccine and fake masks to the value of R6 million were found at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng.

No approved vaccines are currently available for sale online or physically. Any person who bought these drugs was putting themselves at risk and giving their money to organised criminals, warned the SAPS.

In the meantime, South Africa is likely to miss its target of inoculating as many as 1.5 million people against the coronavirus by the end of this month because sufficient shots aren’t available, Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla said on Friday.

While the government has secured 11 million of the single-dose J&J shots, 20 million vaccines from Pfizer and additional supplies through the Covax facility and the AU, they aren’t due to arrive as soon as hoped, Bloomberg reported.

“We now expect to complete only 700 000 vaccines by the end of March,” Phaahla said in an online briefing to lawmakers. We are expecting more Johnson & Johnson vaccines and some from Pfizer, but we will still be behind target.”

Anyone with knowledge of individuals/companies selling Covid-19 vaccines is urged to report to the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or send tip-offs on MySAPS App.