August 18, 2021
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Buying, Making Fake Vaccine Cards is
A Public Health Danger, Against the Law
Carson City, NV – As many businesses and organizations require
proof of vaccination for members of the public to attend events, Nevada
Attorney General Aaron D. Ford warns Nevadans that the buying, making and
selling of fake vaccination cards is not only a danger to public health, but is
also against the law.
“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the
most important thing you can do individually to help stop the pandemic,” said AG Ford. “When you make or use an illegal vaccine
card, you are not only endangering yourself, but the lives of every Nevadan you
encounter.”
Health providers give out legitimate
vaccination cards when they administer the vaccine. These records provide
recipients with information about the type of vaccine they received, as well as
the dates of the first and second dose. Many businesses and organization now
require proof of vaccination to enter their facilities, and governments are
mandating the same in many instances, including in Nevada.
When you use a fake vaccination card to
circumvent these requirements, you are putting yourself, your family, your
friends, your coworkers and others at risk of contracting COVID-19. Nevada
public health officials have worked diligently the last year and a half to curb
the effects of the pandemic. Using deceptive cards threatens Nevada’s health
progress and violates state and federal law. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal, such as
the Department of Health and Human Services of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, may be a crime punishable by a fine or up to five years in
prison.
Because individuals may be using fake
vaccine cards, Nevadans are still encouraged to continue to follow the state
mask mandate and take social distancing measures.
To report suspicious activity involving fake
vaccination record cards, please contact the Office of the Nevada Attorney General, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime
Complaint Center.
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