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Internet flu vaccine ad a hoax

Last Updated: Friday, November 13, 2009 | 2:40 PM PT

The Canadian Press

A Victoria man has turned himself into police in connection with an internet ad for a vial of swine flu vaccine. (CBC)

Victoria police say a man has turned himself in and admitted that his online auction for a vial of swine flu vaccine was a hoax.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority filed a complaint after a person claiming to be a nurse posted the ad on the website UsedVictoria earlier this week, offering a vial of H1N1 vaccine to the highest bidder.

The administrators of the website refused to co-operate with the investigation, but police say a 32-year-old man turned himself in and apologized for tying up police resources.

No charges were laid, but police cautioned the public that such online websites have "limited quality control" and don't check the validity of the ads posted on their sites.

Health Canada and the Competition Bureau have issued a warning about scams linked to the H1N1 influenza A virus responsible for the current swine flu pandemic and urged Canadians not to buy products claiming to fight or prevent swine flu.

The ad has been removed, but the UsedVictoria site is still offering an "immune boost inhaler kit" to help prevent the virus.

Internal Links

Swine flu vaccine offered online

Swine flu information

CBC FEATURE: H1N1 swine flu
MAP: B.C. flu clinic locator
Immunize BC: H1N1 updates
Provincial H1N1 updates
H1N1 symptom checker
B.C. Centre for Disease Control updates
H1N1 guidelines for B.C. physicians
Federal H1N1 updates
Pregnacy, breastfeeding and H1N1
How to look after someone with H1N1
World Health Organization H1N1 updates

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