The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it was concerned about the potential criminal exploitation of the huge unmet global demand for Covid-19 vaccines, warned against counterfeit vaccines and urged people to stick to government-run vaccination programs. 
 
According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, several ministries of health, national regulatory authorities and public procurement organizations across the world had received suspicious offers to supply Covid-19 vaccines, Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
The WHO is "aware of vaccines being diverted and reintroduced into the supply chain, with no guarantee that cold chain has been maintained," he said, adding that counterfeit vaccines have been sold on the internet, primarily on the dark web. There have also been reports of "criminal groups" reusing empty vaccine vials. 
 
Also on Friday, the WHO issued an alert for a counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine identified as BNT162b2, which was detected in Mexico in February. 
 
The product was supplied and administered to patients outside authorized vaccination programs, may still be in circulation in the region and continue to be offered to patients outside authorized vaccination programs, the WHO said. 
 
The genuine BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent Covid-19 in individuals older than 16. 
 
"Falsified Covid-19 vaccines pose a serious risk to global public health and place an additional burden on vulnerable populations and health systems. It is important to identify and remove these from circulation," the WHO warned in a statement. 
 
Tedros urged the public not to buy vaccines outside government-run vaccination programmes, and to report any suspicious sale of vaccines to the national authorities, who will report it to the WHO.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it was concerned about the potential criminal exploitation of the huge unmet global demand for Covid-19 vaccines, warned against counterfeit vaccines and urged people to stick to government-run vaccination programs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it was concerned about the potential criminal exploitation of the huge unmet global demand for Covid-19 vaccines, warned against counterfeit vaccines and urged people to stick to government-run vaccination programs. According to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, several ministries of health, national regulatory authorities and public procurement organizations across the world had received suspicious offers to supply Covid-19 vaccines, Xinhua news agency reported. The WHO is "aware of vaccines being diverted and reintroduced into the supply chain, with no guarantee that cold chain has been maintained," he said, adding that counterfeit vaccines have been sold on the internet, primarily on the dark web. There have also been reports of "criminal groups" reusing empty vaccine vials. Also on Friday, the WHO issued an alert for a counterfeit Covid-19 vaccine identified as BNT162b2, which was detected in Mexico in February. The product was supplied and administered to patients outside authorized vaccination programs, may still be in circulation in the region and continue to be offered to patients outside authorized vaccination programs, the WHO said. The genuine BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine is indicated for active immunization to prevent Covid-19 in individuals older than 16. "Falsified Covid-19 vaccines pose a serious risk to global public health and place an additional burden on vulnerable populations and health systems. It is important to identify and remove these from circulation," the WHO warned in a statement. Tedros urged the public not to buy vaccines outside government-run vaccination programmes, and to report any suspicious sale of vaccines to the national authorities, who will report it to the WHO.

WHO warns of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines

As the United States continues to battle the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-worldwide-cases-surpass-40-million-more-than-50-cases-from-us-india-and-brazil-336386">virus</a>, US President Donald Trump&nbsp;at a campaign rally ahead of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>&nbsp;said the "people are pandemic-ed out".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-election-2020-trump-lashes-out-at-niaid-director-dr-anthony-fauci-336558/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"You know that their pandemic-ed out. That's why it's so great what your governor has done, he's opened up your state," the US president told a rally in Tucson.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-mikes-to-be-muted-in-next-us-presidential-debate-between-trump-and-biden-to-stop-interruptions-336543">Also Read:&nbsp;Mikes to be muted in next US presidential debate between Trump and Biden to stop interruptions</a>

"And by the way, you get it. You know, like I say, here I am. I'm here. I'm here. And now I'm immune. I can jump into this audience and kiss every man and woman. I'm immune Right? They say," he said with just days left for the US elections on November 3.

Trump had earlier hit out at top government scientist Anthony <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-coronavirus-expert-anthony-fauci-a-disaster-336526">Fauci</a> suggesting that the doctor was an "idiot".

"People are saying, 'whatever -- just leave us alone.' They're tired of it. People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots," the president said.

The United States has been the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 220,110 fatalities and over 8.2 million COVID-19 cases.

"Fauci, if we listened to him, we'd have 700,000 (or) 800,000 deaths," Trump said, adding,"He's been here for, like, 500 years."

Trump had&nbsp;retweeted a post a few months ago that contained the hashtag<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-says-trump-campaign-ad-twisted-his-words-on-coronavirus-334558"> #FireFauci</a> before reassuring the American people that "Tony" was doing a great job.

As the United States continues to battle the virus, US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally ahead of the US elections said the "people are pandemic-ed out".

As the United States continues to battle the virus, US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally ahead of the US elections said the "people are pandemic-ed out". Watch: "You know that their pandemic-ed out. That's why it's so great what your governor has done, he's opened up your state," the US president told a rally in Tucson. Also Read: Mikes to be muted in next US presidential debate between Trump and Biden to stop interruptions "And by the way, you get it. You know, like I say, here I am. I'm here. I'm here. And now I'm immune. I can jump into this audience and kiss every man and woman. I'm immune Right? They say," he said with just days left for the US elections on November 3. Trump had earlier hit out at top government scientist Anthony Fauci suggesting that the doctor was an "idiot". "People are saying, 'whatever -- just leave us alone.' They're tired of it. People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots," the president said. The United States has been the worst-hit country due to the virus with over 220,110 fatalities and over 8.2 million COVID-19 cases. "Fauci, if we listened to him, we'd have 700,000 (or) 800,000 deaths," Trump said, adding,"He's been here for, like, 500 years." Trump had retweeted a post a few months ago that contained the hashtag #FireFauci before reassuring the American people that "Tony" was doing a great job.

People are pandemic-ed out,  and now I'm immune, says Trump in campaign rally

Wuhan's 'wet markets' struggle after virus lockdown

After US President Trump decided to stop funding the WHO, China on Wednesday said that it was "seriously concerned about the US announcement".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dangerous-step-in-the-wrong-direction-global-reaction-to-trump-withdrawing-who-funding-292631">Also Read:&nbsp;Dangerous step in the wrong direction: Global reaction to Trump</a>

"The current global epidemic situation is grim. It is at a critical moment. This US decision will weaken WHO's capacities and undermine the international cooperation against the epidemic," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

Trump decided to freeze funding to the WHO over "mismanagin"&nbsp;the coronavirus pandemic. The US is by far the biggest funder of the international health body and providing $400 million last year.'

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> is halting funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess WHO's role in mismanaging the Coronavirus outbreak. <a href="https://t.co/jTrEf4WWj0">pic.twitter.com/jTrEf4WWj0</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1250194670031974400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"We urge the United States to earnestly fulfill their responsibilities and obligations, and support the WHO-led international action against the epidemic," the foreign ministry spokesman said.

"China has always supported the leading role played by the WHO in the international fight against the epidemic... China will look into the relevant issues depending on the needs of the situation," Lijian added while asserting that China had provided $20 million to the health body.

Meanwhile, European Union's foreign policy representative said he "deeply regrets US decision to suspend funding to WHO," while adding that "there is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic."

"Only by joining forces we can overcome this crisis that knows no borders," Borrell added.

After US President Trump decided to stop funding the WHO, China on Wednesday said that it was "seriously concerned about the US announcement". Also Read: Dangerous step in the wrong direction: Global reaction to Trump "The current global epidemic situation is grim.

After US President Trump decided to stop funding the WHO, China on Wednesday said that it was "seriously concerned about the US announcement". Also Read: Dangerous step in the wrong direction: Global reaction to Trump "The current global epidemic situation is grim. It is at a critical moment. This US decision will weaken WHO's capacities and undermine the international cooperation against the epidemic," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. Trump decided to freeze funding to the WHO over "mismanagin" the coronavirus pandemic. The US is by far the biggest funder of the international health body and providing $400 million last year.' President @realDonaldTrump is halting funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess WHO's role in mismanaging the Coronavirus outbreak. pic.twitter.com/jTrEf4WWj0 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 14, 2020 × "We urge the United States to earnestly fulfill their responsibilities and obligations, and support the WHO-led international action against the epidemic," the foreign ministry spokesman said. "China has always supported the leading role played by the WHO in the international fight against the epidemic... China will look into the relevant issues depending on the needs of the situation," Lijian added while asserting that China had provided $20 million to the health body. Meanwhile, European Union's foreign policy representative said he "deeply regrets US decision to suspend funding to WHO," while adding that "there is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain and mitigate the coronavirus pandemic." "Only by joining forces we can overcome this crisis that knows no borders," Borrell added.

Global situation is grim, US decision on WHO will undermine cooperation: China

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