Falsified Medical Product Alert N°7/2021
COVID-19 VACCINE AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S [recombinant]): falsified product alert
WHO issued this alert on falsified AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine reported to WHO in October 2021 and found at patient level outside authorised immunisation programmes. The metal cap on samples showed evidence of tampering, suggesting it was removed to refill the vial. WHO called for secure disposal of empty vials.1,2
- Issued
- 4 November 2021
- Issued by
- World Health Organization
- Name stated on packaging
- WHO said the falsified products are used, discarded genuine vials that were illicitly refilled, so packaging may look identical to genuine vaccine.
- Genuine manufacturer's statement
- WHO said the genuine manufacturer indicated that the product is falsified.
- Countries where detected
- Iran
Batches named in the alert
Table 1 gives no lot numbers. WHO said the products are refilled used genuine vials.
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°7/2021: Falsified COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (4 November 2021)
- World Health Organization, Medical Product Alert N°7/2021: annex (PDF) (4 November 2021)