According to the Swedish Medicines Agency, control over the supply chains of covid-19 vaccines in Europe is good, they have daily contact with European authorities and countries about incidents concerning medicines and possible counterfeits.
- Right now we have no indications that Sweden exists.
But if someone orders online, it can be from anywhere, there are always risks with it.
At best, they have no effect, at worst, they are something completely different, says Virve Reiman Suijkerbuijk, head of the inspection unit at the Medical Products Agency.
Available online
In December, Interpol and Europol warned their members to be on guard for vaccine offers.
These have been targeted at healthcare in several parts of Europe, but so far it has not led to any country or region buying vaccines that have been proven to be counterfeit, according to the EU Anti-Fraud Unit.
In Sweden, there are attempted frauds where mainly older people are offered a place in the vaccine queue if they give up their bank details, says Per Engström, the police coordinator during the corona pandemic.
- There is a risk that you get offers from criminal constellations.
The advice from us is to sit quietly in the boat and wait your turn, says Per Engström.
If you know what you are looking for, you can find vaccine offers from criminal actors online, according to Cecilia Fant at the international security organization PSI.
- They adapt to the market.
It is the need that rules and now people are looking for this.
People are looking for the vaccine, she tells Ekot.
Trying to infiltrate
Mexican authorities confirmed in January that they are aware that criminals have set up labs to manufacture counterfeit covid vaccines around the country.
At the same time, there is a risk that organized crime will try to infiltrate supply chains.
- We are secretive with the hubs where the vaccines go so you are not exposed to theft there.
It must be locked and under control at all times, says Virve Reiman Suijkerbuijk.
Due to the risks of theft, the Medical Products Agency emphasizes the importance of destroying all ampoules after they have been injected.
- It is important to monitor the product until the end, says Virve Reiman Suijkerbuijk.