A healthcare network with clinics in Boro Park, Bensonhurst and Williamsburg is under criminal investigation for administering unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines, officials said on Saturday.
The ParCare Community Health Network “could have fraudulently obtained the COVID-19 vaccine, transferred it to facilities in other parts of the state, violated state guidelines and diverted it to members of the public,” said State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker in a press release.
The statement came hours after The Post questioned a State Department of Health spokesman about ParCare, who gave the coveted inoculations.
The network’s actions appear to violate the state’s plan to first administer the limited supply of vaccines to front-line medical staff, along with nursing home residents and staff, the statement said.
Currently, there is not enough vaccine for the groups that should receive it first.
“The supply of COVID-19 vaccine remains limited and has not yet met demand among priority groups for the initial vaccination,” said Dr. Jane Zucker, assistant commissioner of the city’s health department for immunizations, on Thursday.
The BoroPark24 news site reported on December 21 that ParCare claimed to have received 3,500 doses of Moderna vaccine.
“Hundreds of patients have already been vaccinated today and people are still coming in,” Gary Schlesinger, CEO and president of ParCare, told the news site.
Schlesinger also said he expected to vaccinate 500 people in Boro Park on the same day.
ParCare has created a website, parcarevaccine.com, where residents can register for the vaccine.
“You have to be on this list,” Schlesinger told BoroPark24, adding that he expects to receive more vaccines each day. “Once you’re on the list, we need to vet you to make sure you’re either a medical worker, you’re over 60, or you have basic conditions. We will not give the vaccine to people who are not eligible for this first batch of photos. “
ParCare accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurance plans, the company said.
Schlesinger is well connected politically in the Orthodox Jewish community. He has cultivated ties with Mayor Blasio, Attorney General Letitia James, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and Brooklyn District President and Mayoral candidate Eric Adams, sources said.
A ParCare ad claimed that the “FDA authorized” the network to receive “a minimum number of COVID-19 vaccines.”
“Vaccines will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis (sic),” the announcement says.
It adds that the vaccines will be administered “Only for people in the following categories” and lists: “Elderly, high risk, basic conditions”.
A member of the community told The Post that his 60-year-old father received the vaccine at ParCare’s Williamsburg clinic.
“It is known in the community that you can get a vaccine if you want,” said the resident, adding “it is a mystery” how the clinic got the supply.
“We take this very seriously and the DOH will assist the state police in a criminal investigation into this matter. Anyone who has knowingly participated in this system will be held liable to the fullest extent of the law,” said the state commissioner for health.
Schlesinger could not be reached immediately for comment.