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Bogus vaccination cards, COVID test results filtering into BVI

A stack of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards from the CDC. (Photo credit: MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

The BVI’s online entry portal requires persons to submit copies of their vaccination cards and COVID test results before they’re approved for entry into the territory, but this system is not entirely foolproof, according to health officials.

Concerns have been raised about the BVI’s strategy in detecting counterfeit vaccination cards that are being submitted to bypass the territory’s entry requirements.

These concerns were raised when the government hosted an urgent transportation-for-hire meeting as the territory seeks to get cruise ships to return to the territory.

In explaining the territory’s position in detecting counterfeit cards, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ronald Georges said cards emanating from European countries were generally found to be without issues.

“Those coming out of Europe come with a card with a QR code which can be checked. So the UK and a lot of Europe have those kinds of cards,” Dr Georges said. “But the majority of cards coming out of the US are those simple little cards.”

According to the CMO, there have been several instances whereby local officials have detected inconsistencies on vaccination cards coming from the United States.

BVI vaccination cards also falsified

He said those inconsistencies are often time associated with the dates on these US cards. Furthermore, bogus cards have also been detected closer to home.

“We’ve seen the lot numbers don’t make any sense. We can see, you know, cards that obviously don’t add up. We have seen cards from the BVI which have been, you know, falsified as well,” he related.

Dr Georges explained that the team’s methodology is not fool-proof either.

He added that a lot of cards coming out of the Caribbean and the US have the same handwritten cards that are used locally.

He continued: “So, the staff that do the approvals in the portal, they look out for these things and they do check on these things. I’m not saying we’re a hundred percent but we are looking out for them and we have detected them.”

The CMO also explained that persons have falsified COVID test results as well.

“So, it’s not just it’s not just the bogus cards but it’s also the bogus test results and we are on the lookout for those,” he stated.

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20 Comments

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  1. PT9 says:

    Once a person is Vaccinated every country should stamp it in the person’s passport.

    Like 17
    Dislike 7
  2. Elsa says:

    I hope that these persons are identified and penalised for falsifying documents. The neighbouring USVI is not playing with persons who they were able to determine falsify a document. The BVI needs to get serious and send a message to those thinking of altering medical information.

    Like 28
    Dislike 3
  3. Hmmm says:

    What is your point sir. If they present false information. Yes people will try to beat the system Have them arrested.Bet you will see the nonsense stop. No but we want to do favours. Also, the BVI card is the easiest to duplicate

    Like 14
  4. simple says:

    Ayo ain’t see how easy them floppy card is to replicate? Remember when everybody was busy posting their card as if it was the card that give life? People duplicate passport and money, is a piece of card they can’t work on. Youall should have know it was coming.

    I did my vaccine at CVS and I got a card like a driver licence. The second shot they put in the card and added it. Simple

    • Lilly says:

      Well I got mine at Walgreens, and there is nothing special about it. Same old flimsy piece of paper. I have to handle it with kids glove to avoid it getting damaged.

  5. True tolian says:

    Mr Georges you are
    correct,I am a bvislander
    living in florida who has
    been vaccinated since march and the cards do look fake
    but there is nothing we can
    do.

    Like 5
    Dislike 3
  6. Tongue Fu says:

    No s**t Sherlock. They finally figured out part of the puzzle.

    • @ Tongue Fu says:

      Finally! I still maintain that this is the reason we had that spike in June/July. I can almost bet that some visitors presented fake vaccination cards and because we were not testing so-called “fully vaccinated” persons upon arrival, they were able to come to our shores and (knowingly or unknowingly) bring the virus with them!

      Like 3
      Dislike 2
  7. Too Simple says:

    Our card is too Simple..It needs an ID phoyo and a big obvious BVI Health stamp.

    Like 3
    Dislike 5
  8. Yep says:

    No vaccination is a good vaccination!!!!

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  9. Spirit says:

    A QR code does not provide any assurance of authenticity.

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