Counterfeit COVID-19 vaccinations peddled in China's black market
In an unexpected turn of events, over 80 individuals have been detained in China in connection with the distribution of suspected counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines used in this incident were locally produced, but no official statements have been issued regarding the incident.
The facility where the counterfeit vaccines were produced was also seized, according to unconfirmed reports. However, it remains unclear if the vaccines administered were indeed counterfeit.
Meanwhile, a separate incident was reported in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where Chinese police arrested fraudsters selling fake COVID-19 vaccines. This incident, however, does not appear to be directly related to the ongoing investigations in China.
In a different context, Chinese authorities have been active in combating cybercrime. Xu Zewei, a 33-year-old Chinese national, was arrested in Milan, Italy, on July 3, 2025, based on a U.S. arrest warrant. He is accused of involvement in computer intrusions conducted between February 2020 and June 2021, targeting COVID-19 vaccine research at U.S. universities and other institutions.
Vaccination in China is only conducted in licensed centres. The incident in question did not occur in a licensed centre, which raises concerns about the legitimacy of the vaccines administered.
It is essential to note that no further details about the incident in China have been disclosed, and no actions have been reported to be taken in response to the incident.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for authorities to take swift action to ensure the integrity of the vaccination process and protect public health. As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of authentic vaccines cannot be overstated.
[1] Almaty.tv. (2025). Chinese police arrest fraudsters selling fake COVID-19 vaccines in Almaty, Kazakhstan. [online] Available at: https://almaty.tv/2025/07/05/chinese-police-arrest-fraudsters-selling-fake-covid-19-vaccines-in-almaty-kazakhstan/
[2] MIR 24. (2025). Police arrest fraudsters selling fake COVID-19 vaccines in Almaty, Kazakhstan. [online] Available at: https://mir24.tv/2025/07/05/police-arrest-fraudsters-selling-fake-covid-19-vaccines-in-almaty-kazakhstan/
[3] CNN. (2025). Chinese national arrested for hacking COVID-19 vaccine research. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/03/tech/china-hacking-covid-19-vaccine-research/index.html
[4] BBC News. (2025). Chinese hackers accused of stealing COVID-19 vaccine research data. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58433068
- The incident in Almaty, Kazakhstan, involving Chinese police arresting fraudsters selling fake COVID-19 vaccines, is a separate event from the ongoing investigations in China regarding suspected counterfeit vaccines.
- In a different sector, Chinese authorities have been actively fighting cybercrime, with a 33-year-old Chinese national, Xu Zewei, being arrested in Milan, Italy, for involvement in computer intrusions targeting COVID-19 vaccine research at U.S. universities and other institutions.
- It is important to ensure the integrity of the vaccination process in light of these developments, as the authenticity of vaccines becomes crucial during health-and-wellness issues such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in the general news and medical-conditions spheres.
