There has been promising news in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. as of early November. However, this also means scammers are watching, and are already planning their next moves. This is a pre-emptive article to help you recognize and filter out some of the shenanigans you are probably going to encounter.
First, while the results of clinical trials are looking good in a few cases, as of right now there is no approved treatment or vaccine available. Any website, email, text message, Instagram influencer or roadside lemonade stand claiming to have one for sale is lying to you.
Second, when a vaccine is approved, it will be in the form of an injection administered by people who are normally authorized to give injections, such as those who work in hospitals or doctor’s offices, or other clinics that offer vaccinations. It won’t be something you can order for self-administration at home, it won’t come in capsule, tablet or beverage form, and it will not be sold through a website, email, text message, or by calling a phone number taped to a sign on a utility pole near an intersection.
Third, when a vaccine is finally approved, it will be released, and it will be massive news. Every mainstream news source will carry the story, regardless of (real or perceived) political lean.
Claims such as “they already have a vaccine, they’re just not releasing it because they make more money that way” have never been reflective of how the world really works, as the potential profit from being the first company to have a safe, effective, and FDA- approved COVID-19 vaccine is astronomical. When the vaccine is ready, it will not be a secret. It will be the top headline for days on end, and when you turn on a random 24-hour news network, you won’t make it ten seconds without either hearing the words “approved” and “vaccine” or seeing them run across the ticker at the bottom of the screen
