3000 doses of 'fake coronavirus vaccine' seized
Chinese authorities have detained 80 people on suspicion of producing counterfeit coronavirus vaccines.
They are alleged to have been bottling saline solution to sell as vaccine since September, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.
A total of 3000 'vaccine doses' were confiscated, with raids taking place in several locations across the country.
China has developed a number of its own vaccines, with Beijing setting a goal of vaccinating 50 million people by mid-February.
Police are reminding the public to go through an official channel to get the vaccine to ensure it is legitimate.
According to the South China Morning Post, people caught making and selling fake vaccines can be fined between 15 and 50 times the value of the product.
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Chinese authorities say more than 24 million vaccines have already been administered, while they’re aiming to complete 50 million within the next fortnight.
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The arrests come as China records its highest monthly total of coronavirus infections since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, with 2000 new domestic cases.
Two people died in January, the first reported coronavirus deaths in China in several months.
- with AAP
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