California officials closed a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Tuesday when hundreds of ineligible workers at Hollywood production companies scoured the facility for blows, according to a report.
City officials confirmed that in the first hour, 900 of the 1,500 meetings at the Pasadena City College clinic were booked by assorted workers from Hollywood production, media and streaming companies – most of whom were ineligible.
“Hundreds signed up in the first hour,” said city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. “It was like a quick fire.”
An email was sent last week from the Pasadena Department of Public Health to frontline employees and seniors with instructions to sign up for a clinic appointment through the statewide vaccination website .
The e-mail also stated that people trying to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will be asked to prove that they worked in an eligible industry or lived or worked in Pasadena, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“We are verifying our identity. We will take you away if you do not meet the current level, if you do not live in the city or do not work in the city “, said Derderian.
“Our health officer will not risk her credentials or the licenses of the health department or the reputation of the city. We are very strict in following the guidelines. ”
City officials decided to close the clinic indefinitely after spending a few days checking to see if those who made appointments were eligible – determining that a number of them were not.
Residents pointed out that on the registration site there was a drop-down menu that asked in which industry the person registering works: “Service – entertainment, performance”.
Officials also noted that closing the clinic was difficult for many elderly citizens who were also for vaccination.
“Some cried when they found out that their appointments had been moved,” Derderian said.
As of Tuesday, no new date has been scheduled for the reopening of the clinic.