Coronavirus: People getting jabbed under others' names in vaccine 'scam' - report

Police say any reports of Kiwis faking their vaccination status - by having someone else get the jab for them - will be "taken seriously".

The Ministry of Health says it told police about the "scam", being aware of at least one incident. 

It's not clear from the report if the people receiving the vaccine are doing so with the cooperation of the person whose name they're using, but it comes after the Government said workers in the education and healthcare sectors would have to be vaccinated if they want to keep their frontline roles. 

Newshub asked the Ministry of Health, but in a statement didn't answer that question. 

Jo Gibbs, national director of the COVID-19 vaccine and immunisation programme, said the health system operated in a "high-trust environment" and it was "dangerous" to undergo a medical procedure - such as vaccination - under a false identity.

"This puts at risk the person who receives a vaccination under an assumed identity and the person whose health record will show they have been vaccinated when they have not.

Each could end up receiving inappropriate treatments in the future based on their incorrect records, Gibbs said.

"If they presented with any symptoms or illnesses a medical professional would be working with inaccurate health records."

Police have reportedly been told about the scam, but would not confirm that when approached by Newshub.

"If police received a report of someone getting vaccinated on behalf of another person it would be taken seriously," a spokesperson said, directing further questions back to the Ministry of Health.

Tightening up the process for vaccination - such as requiring photo identification - would disproportionately reduce access for vulnerable groups such as "homeless or transient, the elderly, the young, people with disabilities", Gibbs said, who are also at most risk from COVID-19. 

So far 59.3 percent of eligible Kiwis (aged 12-plus) have had two doses of the vaccine, but fewer than 40 percent of Māori.