VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 19 - The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) thanked the Mexican Government, Customs, and its Armed Forces for the seizure of a series of fake Russian Sputnik V vaccines against the coronavirus.

On Mar. 18 the Mexican authorities confiscated a number of counterfeit vaccines packaged as Sputnik V.

Photo analysis of the batch of vaccine seized, including the design of the container and the label, showed that it was a fake substance that had nothing to do with the original vaccine.

The shipping procedure also violates packaging and transport protocols for the official Sputnik V vaccine.

RDIF states that each batch of Sputnik V vaccine production is subject to strict controls. Each bottle has a unique QR code, which allows RDIF and partners to trace it to the place of origin.

Sputnik V is transported only by authorized operators who are required to comply with the highest standards of safety, including remote temperature and safety controls.

RDIF and the Russian government stated that they will continue to work with governments and partners around the world to jointly identify counterfeit Sputnik V vaccines and ensure the safety of Russian vaccines and their global supply chains.

This is an example of a possible provocation against Sputnik V as warned by Russian officials last week.

The Mexican government halted and prevented provocations possibly aimed at discrediting the Sputnik V vaccine by sending fake vaccines.

RDIF, the Russian Ministry of Health, and the Russian government will cooperate with Mexican authorities in investigating and analyzing the contents of this fake vaccine.

The safety and authenticity of vaccines is very important for RDIF and Gamaleya Center.

Sputnik V is distributed only through official channels and administered only through official government vaccination programs. (VOI)