Gujarat PHCs issue bogus COVID vaccine certificates in celebrities names, probe ordered

Ahmedabad: The netizens of social media was shocked to see big celebrities taking vaccine from various Junagadh primary health centre across Gujarat. Moreover, their age appears to be on the younger side than their actual age in the vaccine certificates. 

Junagadh District Collector Rachit Raj has ordered an inquiry into the issuance of fake COVID vaccine certificates in the names of actors and cricketers to meet targets.

A five-member committee headed by the Deputy Development Officer will submit its report within a fortnight and recommend action.

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The Collector told the media that he learned that paramedics "vaccinated some celebrities" in order to meet their vaccination targets. An inquiry will be conducted, and those responsible will have to face action.

Four certificates are in circulation on social media, one is issued in the name of Jaya Bachchan, her age is shown as 23, and the vaccination certificate is issued by Mendapara Primary Health Center.

From the same centre, another certificate has been issued in the name of cricketer Mohammad Kaif, his age is shown as just 22 years old.

Juhi Chawla is 44 years old, according to the Motipara Primary Health Centre, where she received a COVID dose during a vaccination drive. 

Mahima Chaudhary, on the other hand, is older than Jaya Bachchan, being 57-year-old, according to Prempara sub-health centre. ‘Mahima Chaudhary’ received her first dose on July 30, 2022, the second on October 30, and the precautionary dose on August 25, 2022, as stated by the Prempara Sub-Health centre.

According to the certificate gone viral on social media, ‘Jaya Bachhan’ received her first dose on July 30, 2021, the second on October 30, followed by the precautionary dose. 

In fact, all of their birthdays were marked as January 1 and only their birth year was changed in the certificate, TNIE reports

The District Collector has excluded Junagadh District Chief Medical Officer from the committee, as the scam is committed by the team reporting to him.

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