COVID-19 vaccine scam in Dorset
The vaccine is only available through the NHS, warns Dorset CCG
We’re being warned about suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination.
Dorset CCG say the hoax calls are a scam and should be ignored or reported to the police.
A spokesperson said:
• The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups, and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime.
• The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment or for your bank details.
• At the moment we are also not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine. Anyone offering this now is committing a crime.
Dr Karen Kirkham, local GP and Clinical lead for the Dorset COVID-19 vaccination programme, and Assistant Clinical Director of NHS Dorset CCG, said:
“It’s really important that people are aware of how to protect themselves and their family members from fraud and follow the advice on how to do this.
“At the same time, we’d like to provide reassure to local people in Dorset that the NHS will be in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated. Please don’t contact us to seek a vaccine. We will contact you. We hope this is helpful. We’d like to thank people in Dorset for their continued support.”