COVID-19: FG to prosecute those with fake vaccination cards

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says it is collaborating with the State Security Services (SSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute people who fraudulently acquire COVID-19 vaccination cards without getting vaccinated. The Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib […]

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) says it is collaborating with the State Security Services (SSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute people who fraudulently acquire COVID-19 vaccination cards without getting vaccinated.

The Executive Director of the agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib said this Tuesday in Abuja, during the weekly COVID-19 update by the agency.

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He said, “With the increase in COVID-19 vaccination mandates globally, it has come to the notice of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Federal Ministry of Health, that attempts are being made by unscrupulous persons to procure the COVID-19 vaccination cards, without receiving the COVID-19 vaccines.

“NPHCDA and the Presidential Steering Committee strongly condemns these fraudulent attempts and is urging those attempting such acts to desist henceforth.

“The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination and the vaccination cards are totally free of charge at all designated COVID-19 vaccination sites across the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT. Possession of vaccination cards without receiving the vaccines is criminal and punishable by law.

“The NPHCDA is collaborating with the State Security Services (SSS), ICPC and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute any persons and their accomplices attempting to fraudulently acquire COVID-19 vaccination cards without getting vaccinated.”

He urged the public to report any suspected cases of buying and selling of COVID-19 vaccination cards without receiving the vaccines to the nearest law enforcement agency or to NPHCDA.

He said as of Monday, 20 September 2021, 4,487,367 eligible persons have received their 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

This is made up of 2,863,422 persons who have taken the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine and 1,623,945 persons who have taken the first dose of Moderna vaccine.

He said, “So far, 1,783,676 eligible persons have been fully vaccinated, of which 1,781,840 is with the AstraZeneca vaccine, while 1,836 persons have had the Moderna vaccine.”

He said the agency is closely working with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to monitor and handle any Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).

He the agency has received 4,349 reports on non-serious AEFI cases and 40 reports of serious AEFI cases with the Moderna vaccines, and 1,115 non-serious AEFI cases and 38 serious AEFI cases for AstraZeneca. “These cases have been successfully treated and the affected persons are doing well and going about their normal duties.