Mexico arrests 6 for trafficking false coronavirus vaccines

Police in rrn Mexico arrested six people Wednesday for allegedly trafficking in fake coronavirus vaccines. federal Public Safety Department said arrests were me in rrn border state of Nuevo León, though y did t say what kind of fake shots were involved or wher y h been offered for sale.

“You don't play around with health, and in se moments of pandemic, body should be profiteering,” said Public Safety Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez.

Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell later said that fakes were presented as Pfizer vaccines, which are only available in Mexico through government vaccinations teams. He said suspects h offered vaccines for sale for equivalent of around $2,000 per dose.

Analysts have long worried that criminal gangs in Mexico could seek to steal, hijack or counterfeit much-desired vaccines or medications during pandemic. re have been hijackings or fts of medicines and oxygen, but this is first instance of criminal activity related to vaccines.

Also Wednesday, Mexico's Defense Secretary, Gen. Luis Cresencio Sandoval, anunced he h tested positive for COVID-19. Sandoval said he would isolate at home and continue working while receiving treatment. Mexico's Health Department reported 1,075 newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, bringing total death toll to 177,061. country has w ministered over 1 million coronavirus vaccines, but has t yet fully vaccinated its 750,000 front-line health care workers.

However, many government vaccination teams began this week taking photographs of elderly people who got ir first vaccinations; combined with fact people h to show ir voter ID cards to get vaccines, photographs drew criticism in a country where such practices have been used to pressure voters in past. Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell said vaccination teams should t take such photographs, and that people were within ir rights to refuse to have ir pictures taken. 

(Im Credits: AP)