A New York health care provider is being investigated after he was accused of “fraudulently” obtaining COVID-19 vaccines and distributing them to the public.
In a statement released Saturday, the State Department of Health said it had received reports that Orange County Health Network parking violated New York’s plan to administer the vaccine to front-line medical workers, as well as nursing home residents and employees.
The statement said the network “could have fraudulently obtained the COVID-19 vaccine, transferred it to facilities in other parts of the state, violated state instructions and diverted it to the public.”
Parcare posted pictures on the social networks of their centers that received hundreds of doses of Moderna vaccine and claimed that they had received authorization from the state, despite the fact that they were not officially listed.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, pictured, revealed Saturday that the Orange County Parking Community Health Network is being investigated for allegedly purchasing up to 2,800 doses of Moderna vaccine through fraudulent means.
This would be the first case of vaccine fraud in New York since its launch began on December 15. In the picture, a nurse is preparing a COVID-19 Modern vaccine for an NYFD worker
On December 21, Parking posted a picture of their Modern vaccine shipment
“We take this very seriously and the DOH will assist the state police in a criminal investigation into this matter,” said State Commissioner for Health Dr. Howard Zucker.
“Anyone who has knowingly participated in this system will be held accountable to the fullest extent by the law,” he added.
The Parking Network, which has locations in Brooklyn, Orange County and Manhattan, is not among the facilities listed as a state-designated immunization center.
However, on a Facebook page linked to one of its locations in Brooklyn, they posted on December 16 to say that they were “authorized to distribute the #CovidVacine vaccine that falls under certain criteria.”
They urged patients to register with them for a vaccine if they were considered at high risk or had underlying health conditions.
On December 21, they posted another update stating that they had just received thousands of doses of vaccine in their centers.
“A small injection can make a difference for the whole community! Our @ParCare centers received thousands of # COVID19 #Moderna #vaccines this morning ‘, they wrote.
“Thanks to @UPS and our dedicated staff who woke up early to receive this life-saving #healthcareheroes transport.”
BoroPark24 reported that the location of the Borough Park network received 600 Modern vaccines that morning, while the balance of the 2,800 doses was sent to their other four locations.
Parcare posted on December 16 that they were “authorized to distribute #CovidVaccine to people who meet certain criteria,” but are not officially listed
Parking shared this image to Facebook of their Modern vaccine delivery
“Hundreds of patients have already been vaccinated today and people are still coming in,” said Gary Schlesinger, CEO and president of ParCare, adding that they hoped to vaccinate 500 people on the first day.
“You must be on this list,” Schlesinger said. “Once you’ve reached the list, we need to vet you to make sure you’re either a health worker, you’re over 60, or you have basic conditions.
We will not administer the vaccine to people who are not eligible for this first batch of photos.
He also claimed that the center would continue to receive more doses of the vaccine, despite not being a designated distributor.
“Hopefully in another week or two, we’ll have enough to give more people, but right now that’s what it is,” he told the publication, saying they were able to get the doses because they are higher in square meters than other clinics.
According to its website, the provider is “a center with several specialties that offer services such as primary care, internal medicine, dermatology, physical therapy and pediatrics; helping our patients maintain optimal health and prevent potential diseases ”.
This would be the first case of fraud regarding the launch of the vaccine in New York since distribution began on December 15.
It is not clear what sanctions Park could face if he were found guilty of fraud.
Moderna has been contacted for comment, but has not yet responded.
View of Health & Medical Center Parking in Monroe in Orange County. The network also has locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan that have received vaccine doses
As of Wednesday, the last time an update was given, 89,000 New Yorkers have now received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
According to a statement, 22,000 doses were administered in 90 health care units.
On Saturday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state “vaccinates New Yorkers as soon as possible.”
“But reaching the levels of immunity we need is a long-term effort,” he added.
“New Yorkers have brought the state’s infection rate from the largest nation to one of the lowest, and they should be commended for that. Now we must continue the good things.
“Eventually we will be victorious in the battle with COVID-19, but New Yorkers have a long way to go,” Cuomo said.
“The holiday season is a time of celebration and reflection, but it brings the potential for increased spread if we let our guard down. It is vital that New Yorkers celebrate smartly, wash their hands, wear masks, and socially distance themselves this holiday season.
On Thursday, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said the New York City riot, separate from New York City funding, will receive about $ 800 million to secure the coronavirus vaccine and other coronavirus care efforts.
“The biggest thing we want to ensure about the coronavirus vaccine is universal access – without barriers – for New Yorkers,” Schumer said.
“Part of how we do this and to make sure that a free vaccine is available here in New York is focusing on the federal funds that we just secured in the COVID late-vote bill. [Tuesday] night.
“Communities across the Upstate region will receive a considerable share of over $ 775 million to do these things and I am here to say that the money is on the way and to make known what will happen next for localities as will increase with distribution. ‘
10,806 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Saturday, while the state’s positivity rate remained at 5.36 percent.
There were 122 new deaths, which meant 29,396 deaths.
On Saturday, there were 6,884 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York, of whom 1,129 were in intensive care.
Nationwide, 18.8 million Americans were infected with coronavirus and there were 331,116 deaths.