Fake COVID-19 vaccines in circulation, NAFDAC warns

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Friday alerted of circulation of fake vaccines in Nigeria even as it disclosed that It has not approved any vaccines or receive any application from Covid Vaccine manufacturers yet. The Agency also cautioned against the use of any vaccines without the agency’s approval. 

Disclosing these during a virtual press conference, the Director-General of the Agency, Prof Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said “Covid-19 vaccines are new, and the side effects or adverse events must be well monitored, therefore, if NAFDAC does not approve, the public should not use.”

“There are reports of fake vaccines in Nigeria. NAFDAC is pleading with the public to beware. No Covid Vaccines have been approved by NAFDAC. Fake vaccines can cause Covid-like illnesses or other serious diseases that could kill. 

Adeyeye who noted the unapproved ordering of covid vaccines by private companies and cooperations said: “Vaccines should not be ordered by any company or corporation. The companies that manufacture the vaccines if they are genuine companies know they have to submit their application to NAFDAC. ” 

She maintained that no government establishment or agencies should order covid vaccines without confirming from NAFDAC if the vaccine has been approved. 

“However, NAFDAC is discussing with manufactures of candidate Covid-19 vaccines concerning potential Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), registration or licensing of their product as the case may be. The Agency assures applicants  that if Phase 3 clinical data are very convincing and robust with regards to safety and efficacy, and the vaccine has been submitted for WHO for Emergency Use Listing, NAFDAC will welcome the application for Emergency Use Authorisation in Nigeria. 

“NAFDAC will use “Reliance” or “Recognition” to expedite Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for vaccines already approved by more matured regulatory authorities. The full dossier submitted by the manufacturer or Market Authorisation Holder (MAH) will be thoroughly reviewed by the Vaccine Committee that is made up of multiple Directorates in the Agency – Drug Registration and Regulatory Affairs, Drug Evaluation and Research, Pharmacovigilance and Post Marketing Surveillance, Drug, Biologics and Vaccines Laboratory Services. On clinical trials,  Adeyeye said safety of the Covid Vaccine Is Premium to NAFDAC and that is why active pharmacovigilance is being used. She said the agency has been preparing for COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination since the early phase of the pandemic – around April 2020.