Falsified Medical Product Alert N°2/2021
COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2: falsified product alert
WHO issued this alert on falsified COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 detected in Mexico in February 2021. It was supplied and administered to patients outside authorised vaccination programmes. Analysis of the contents was pending when the alert was issued.1,2
Health risk as statedWHO said falsified COVID-19 vaccines pose a serious risk to global public health.
- Issued
- 26 March 2021
- Issued by
- World Health Organization
- Name stated on packaging
- Table 1 gives Pfizer BIONTECH as the stated manufacturer. The batch number and expiry date are falsified, and the glass vials and labels differ from genuine vials.
- Genuine manufacturer's statement
- WHO said the genuine manufacturer of COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 confirmed they did not manufacture the product.
- Countries where detected
- Mexico
Batches named in the alert
783201 (stated expiry AUG 24, English packaging)
Advice as stated
Do not use suspect vaccines. Obtain vaccines only from authorised suppliers and immunisation programmes. Anyone who received a suspect product or had an adverse reaction should seek medical advice and report it to the national regulator.
Names printed on falsified products are not evidence that the named company made them. Where WHO or a regulator reports the genuine manufacturer's statement, it is shown.
Sources
- World Health Organization, Medical Product Alert N°2/2021: Falsified COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 (26 March 2021)
- World Health Organization, Medical Product Alert N°2/2021: annex (PDF) (26 March 2021)