A male nurse identified as Solomon Oriere, has been accused of falsifying COVID-19 vaccination cards for the sum of N25,000 in Ikeja, Lagos State.
An investigation by Premium Times revealed that Oriere issues vaccination cards by making it appear that his clients have been administered with the vaccine.
Vaccination cards are useful health records that contain information about vaccination dates and dosage. Any vaccine you have received in your lifetime should have some sort of documentation.
This is the standard process so that you or your kids have a record on file that may be needed in case of hospitalization and other events.
In some cases, schools require proof of immunization before a child can enroll to protect kids from diseases that spread easily in their age group.
Vaccine cards generally include your basic personal information, including your name, date of birth, address, age, vaccine card number, and the vaccine you received. It also includes that specific shot of the brand you were given called the lot number, which is essential in tracking serious events that may happen to you with respect to the vaccine.
Millions of Nigerians have been issued with cards showing that they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some areas, that card is required to get into concerts, sporting events and workplaces.
But the cards can easily be fabricated by fraudsters and are being sold to people who don’t want to get vaccinated but want to show a record that they have been.
In an undercover investigation by Premium Times, Oriere who is attached to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) accredited vaccination centre located in the premises of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, is said to be a go-to man for anyone in need of either COVID-19 test results or vaccination cards.
Açcording to Oriere popularly called Mr Solomon at the health facility, “You do not need to come here, all that I need from anyone in need of result or card is just the money paid into my account, and they will be provided,” Mr Solomon boasted, adding that, “In fact, we use courier services to deliver to those outside the state without seeing them.”
The report further stated that he also offered a 12.5 per cent discount for referrals on testing, saying the reporter could pocket N5,000 on each person recommended.
“For either the card or test result, just send me name, phone number, date of birth, email address and home address of whoever may need it and I will backdate it because, normally if you want to take it, it takes like eight months, for the first dose, second dose and booster doses.
“Before you can take booster alone, it takes six months, the first and second takes a month plus each, that is about seven and eight months,” he added.
According to the report, the quarantine holding bay near LASUTH’s main gate may have been temporarily converted to a clinic for diabetes patients following the significant decline in COVID-19 cases, but within it are officials who make brisk business from the pandemic that once caused the world’s complete lockdown.
These agents are taking advantage of unsuspecting residents who walk in for vaccination which is meant to be free.
Near the bay is a makeshift office which might have served as the registration point for newly admitted COVID-19 patients at the height of the pandemic. It is the place where Mr Solomon now operates and conducts his businesses.
A young woman in mufti, whose identity could not be ascertained, was said to be the first to engage the reporter on the processes to obtain vaccination cards without taking the jabs and the prices for the different services.
“Sister, the procedure is that if you want to take the vaccine, you will need to register online and choose a preferred vaccination centre. But if you can pay N25,000 for vaccination cards or N40,000 for test results, we can supply them to you without the protocol,” the young woman said.
While the conversation with the woman was ongoing, Mr Solomon entered and invited the reporter to a “safe” corner where he restated the prices and offered further explanations. And without fear of any consequence, Mr Solomon provided his Access Bank details with the name; Oriere Solomon Ahunsimhenre, and account number; 0055229357.
As someone who did not prepare for such payment, the reporter promised to return some other day to pay as required.
On 28 December, when the reporter returned to the facility and paid N25,000 cash, the process was seamless, giving a strong indication that it is a normal business at the centre, as neither Mr Solomon nor her assistant showed any sign of excitement or worry.
Registered as Arowolo Ifeoluwa, Mr Solomon issued the reporter a COVID-19 vaccination card with VAC ID: NG-KA56555956RD, stating that the first and second jab of AstraZeneca Vaxzevria were taken on 17 January, 2022 and 22 March, 2022 respectively. The batch number of the vaccine was given as 4121z257.
According to the card issued, the third dose, otherwise known as booster dose, was given as BioNTech Pfizer and that it was administered on 23 September, 2022 with batch number fm7378.
Mr Solomon claimed the reporter took the vaccine at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state, instead of LASUTH where he works, and uploaded these details on the NPHCDA vaccination site.
Asked about the implication of the local government area claimed, Mr Solomon said: “It doesn’t matter and no one will ask of it. I wanted to use Alimosho LGA before but anyone is fine.”
When the reporter confirmed the authenticity of the card on the NPHCDA website, the details were displayed on the e-certificate, while he boasted that he was one of those health workers earlier deployed to isolation centres in the state when the pandemic broke out in 2020.
Mr Solomon was also busy taking samples for other in-patients as he frequented the wards, while attending to the reporter.