QuickCheck: Were placebos used instead of Covid-19 vaccines, as claimed in a viral video?

In a video that has gone viral on social media, it is claimed that placebos were used for inoculations under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan (PICK). Is the claim true?

VERDICT:

FALSE

The Health Ministry confirms that no placebos were used for inoculations under PICK.

In a statement on Wednesday (Jan 26), it said claims made in a viral video that placebos were used in the PICK were untrue.

"Placebos are only used during clinical trials and not for registered products used in the PICK," the Health Ministry said.

The Health Ministry also questioned how the party in the video had obtained a sample of a Covid-19 vaccine and conducted a test on its contents, when Covid-19 vaccines are only allowed to be sold and supplied to the government and government-authorised parties.

As such, the Ministry said it viewed the claims made in the video as fake news and an attempt to confuse the public and tarnish the integrity of the Ministry. It added that reports would be lodged with the relevant authorities.

Source: https://twitter.com/KKMPutrajaya/status/1486277069780955136