20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INTRef. RPQ/REG/ISF/Alert N°1/2022

28 January 2022

Medical Product Alert
Falsified NANO CV-19 PATCH identified in WHO region of the Western Pacific
Alert Summary
This WHO Medical Product Alert refers to a falsified product called NANO CV-19 PATCH identified in Viet Nam
and reported to WHO in December 2021.
The falsified product claims to “strengthen the immune system” to prevent infection with COVID-19. This producthas not undergone any regulatory approval and therefore there is no scientific basis for this claim.
The product packaging carries the WHO logo and represents that it is endorsed or authorized by WHO. Thisfalsified product is NOT authorized or endorsed by WHO. The use of the WHO logo on the packaging of theproduct is wholly unauthorized.
The packaging of the product also states that it is manufactured by a company called VAXXAS. VAXXAS has
confirmed that they DO NOT manufacture this product and have NO products for sale anywhere in the world.
The logos of the US FDA and the pharmaceutical manufacturer MERCK are also printed on the packaging. Theproduct is NOT authorized, endorsed, or manufactured by either organization.
The product identified in this Alert is falsified on the basis that it deliberately/fraudulently misrepresents its
identity, composition, and source.
Table 1: Products subject of WHO Medical Product Alert
Product Name

NANO CV-19 PATCH

Stated manufacturer

VAXXAS

Batch / Lot

All batches/lots

Packaging language

EnglishIdentified inViet Nam

Available Photos

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Ref. RPQ/REG/ISF/Alert N°1/2022
20, AVENUE APPIA – CH-1211 GENEVA 27 – SWITZERLAND – TEL CENTRAL +41 22 791 2111 – FAX CENTRAL +41 22 791 3111 – WWW.WHO.INTRisks
Falsified COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics pose a serious risk to global public health and place an additionalburden on vulnerable populations and health systems.
The risk to patient health from the falsified product identified in this Alert may include delay in proper
immunization with approved vaccines against COVID-19 and a false sense of protection that may lead toindividuals not practising public health and social measures.
There is no evidence on the efficacy and safety of the product that could support its therapeutic claim. These
products could be harmful or life-threatening in some circumstances. It is important to detect and remove thesefalsified products from circulation to prevent harm to patients.
Advice to regulatory authorities and the public
WHO requests increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely tobe affected by these falsified products.
All medical products must be approved and obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers. The products’
authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Seek advice from a healthcare professional
when in doubt.
If you have these falsified products, please do not use them.
If you have used these products, or you suffered an adverse reaction/event after use, you are advised to seek
immediate medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional and report the incident to the National
Regulatory Authority or National Pharmacovigilance Centre.
National regulatory/health authorities are advised to immediately notify WHO if these falsified products are
discovered in their country.
If you have any information concerning the manufacture or supply of these products, please inform WHO via
rapidalert@who.int
WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System for Substandard and Falsified Medical Products
For more information, please visit our website. Email: rapidalert@who.int

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