RDIF thanks Mexico for seizing illegal shipment of fake Sputnik V vaccine

RDIF thanks Mexico for seizing illegal shipment of fake Sputnik V vaccine

Moscow, March 18, 2021 – The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) expresses gratitude to the Government of Mexico, its Customs and Armed Forces for seizure of a batch of fake Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus.

Earlier today Mexican authorities seized a batch of vaccines designed and packaged as Sputnik V. For more details please see the official statement by the Government of Mexico:

https://www.gob.mx/sat/prensa/aduanas-y-ejercito-mexicano-decomisan-vacunas-sputnik-v-en-aeronave-privada-en-la-aduana-de-campeche-043-2021

Analysis of the photographs of the seized batch, including the design of containers and labels, suggests that it is a fake substance which has nothing to do with the original vaccine. The shipment’s procedure was also in violation of packaging and transportation protocols for the official Sputnik V vaccine.

RDIF states that every manufactured batch of Sputnik V vaccine is undergoing strict controls. Each vial has a unique QR-code, allowing RDIF and partners to trace it to the place of origin. Sputnik V is transported only by authorized carriers required to abide by the highest safety standards, including remote temperature and security controls.

RDIF and Russian government entities will continue to cooperate with governments and partners around the world to jointly identify fake Sputnik V vaccines and ensure security of the Russian vaccine and its global supply chain.

This is an example of possible provocations against Sputnik V just as Russian officials warned last week. Mexican government stopped and prevented this provocation possibly aimed at discrediting Sputnik V vaccine through shipment of fake vaccine. RDIF, Russian Ministry of Health and government entities will cooperate with Mexican authorities on this investigation and analysis of the content of the fake vaccine.

Vaccine safety and authenticity are paramount to RDIF and the Gamaleya Center. Sputnik V is distributed only through official channels and administered only through official government vaccination programs.