A group of doctors and staff at Stanford University Hospital staged a protest on Friday to express frustration with school officials over the university’s plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
Doctors and staff who demonstrated claimed that the school did not give priority to residents and peers working directly with COVID-19 patients in their vaccine distribution plan.
In accordance with San Francisco Chronicle, health workers gathered at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto before moving to the square in front of the hospital.
Some had signs that read, “Health heroes support each other.” “Front-line workers need protection.”
There is a huge demonstration at @Stanford The hospital is being built right now by staff, who are protesting against the decision of the highest authorities to administer vaccines to administrators and doctors who are at home and who are not in contact with patients instead of front-line workers. pic.twitter.com/WXVkPR46eU
– rat king (@MikeIsaac) December 18, 2020
Into the a video shared on Twitter by Chronicle reporter Nanette Asimov, a medical professional spoke to the crowd, saying: “thousands of Americans have died of this disease.”
“It simply came to our notice then. So, any excuse you make for us, whose purpose here at Stanford is to treat these patients, any excuse you have for not receiving priority, is over, ”the demonstrator added. “I don’t care if you found out yesterday, I don’t care if you found out on Tuesday. As soon as you find out, do it right. ”
.@Stanford #medici and #health workers are protesting Stanford’s decision to vaccinate orthopedists, dermatologists in front of front-line residents, peers and nurses. pic.twitter.com/S3BxzWLTLi
– Nanette Asimov (@NanetteAsimov) December 18, 2020
Daniel Hernandez, an emergency resident who was marching in protest, told the Chronicle: “I am here because we have been promised, several times, that we will be vaccinated in the first wave.”
In a letter to top Stanford officials, health workers say only seven residents and peers were included in the university’s first round of immunizations, with 5,000 scheduled to begin Friday, according to the Chronicle.
Protesters told the Chronicle on Friday that those receiving vaccinations in front of front-line hospital workers include orthopedic surgeons, outpatient nurses and a dermatologist.
“There is still no articulated plan to vaccinate the remaining 1,300 residents and peers, including those on the front line who directly treat patients with COVID-19,” the Chronicle letter said. “It is important for us to inform you that, at this time, residents are hurt, disappointed, frustrated, upset and feel a deep sense of distrust of the hospital administration, given the sacrifices we have made and the promises that have been made. made to us. “
Protesters told the Chronicle that Stanford officials cited an algorithmic error in a lawsuit to distribute the vaccine to elderly workers and health care workers.
However, demonstrators added that the issue has not been resolved since officials became aware of the error on Tuesday.
According to Politico reporter Dan DiamondStanford Chief Medical Officer Niraj Sehgal apologized this week via email for “some unintentional mistakes.”
“Please know that the perceived lack of priority for residents and peers was not the intention at all,” the e-mail said.
Officials also emailed hospital officials Friday morning, explaining that their vaccine delivery algorithm “failed to include trainees, despite efforts by many leaders to advocate for trainees as our workforce.” very important from the front line “, adding that” there are active meetings to correct this. ”
On the left, an email from Stanford’s chief medical officer this week apologizing for “unintentional mistakes”.
On the right, an email from officials this morning – confirming that young doctors have been jumped for vaccines, despite being on the front line. (via a tipster) pic.twitter.com/hQKGpZ6WHk
– Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) December 18, 2020
David Entwhistle, president and CEO of Stanford Health, appeared at Friday’s protest, Chronicle reported and told the crowd, “We’ll fix it. We know it’s wrong. “