VACC MARKET
FAKE Covid-19 vaccine cards are being sold online by a scammer advertising on TikTok.
The con artist is hawking his wares for £5 a pop on the social media platform in the same week the UK Government began rolling out the groundbreaking Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
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The fakes appear to be a near replica of the blue and white paper vaccine record cards currently being handed out to every Brit given the jab.
This even includes messaging on the front urging recipients to "make sure" they keep the card safe in their "purse or wallet".
There is also a space on the cards for people to enter the name of the vaccine, its batch number and date it was given - just like the real thing.
Yet although similar to the official NHS cards the fakes have a different text colour.
The adverts appeared on TikTok on Wednesday night, in a series of video posts linking to a Spotify page where they could be purchased. The videos and link to the selling page has since been taken down.
It comes as the immunisation record cards were widely criticised as potentially sparking demand for black market in fakes should other businesses like pubs, theatres and restaurants demand to see them.
It is believed there may be a surge in demand for the fake immunity record cards, if people are offered preferential treatment in certain entertainment venues and businesses.
The Government says it has no plans for official immunity passports to be rolled out, but some companies like airline Qantas say travellers will only be allowed to fly if they have the jab.
These videos have been removed for breaching our community guidelines.
TikTok spokesman
A spokesman for TikTok told MailOnline the spam account, which was created last night, has since been suspended.
In a statement, he said: "These videos have been removed for breaching our community guidelines, which make clear we do not allow scams or misinformation, including vaccine misinformation, which could cause harm to people on TikTok or the wider public."
Meanwhile in response to criticism the cards could easily be replicated Public Health England (PHE) said they were only intended to be used to as appointment reminder cards.
A spokesperson said: "Patients who get the #COVID19 vaccine will be given a vaccine record card.
"The card notes details about the patient's jab, and their appointment date for the second dose."
The Prime Minister's spokesman added: "The cards are NHS reminder cards that prompt people to get the second dose that they need.
"That's a well-established practice in the NHS to offer people cards to remind them of their next appointment."
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The statements came response to claims the vaccine cards were being misunderstood to be a kind of vaccine passport, with the UK's independent fact checking charity Full Fact noting: "The new NHS card cannot prove you have been vaccinated as it doesn't have any personally identifying details."
The Government has previously confirmed vaccine passports, which are muted as a way of proving personal immunity to the coronavirus, are strictly off the cards.
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Putting the idea to bed this week Michael Gove rubbished plans for a immunity passport scheme, telling Sky News: "That's not being planned. I certainly am not planning to introduce any vaccine passports and I don't know anyone else in government who is."