Two women who dressed to appear as older adults to be vaccinated with coronavirus have been rejected and issued warnings in Orlando, officials said.
Dr. Raul Pino, the state health officer from Orange County, said the women disguised themselves on Wednesday with caps, gloves and glasses.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Michelle Guido told the Orlando Sentinel that women changed their births to vaccination records to bypass the state system, which gives priority to people 65 and older. It looked like the women had gotten the first shot, but it wasn’t clear where.
“Their names matched their registration, but not their birth dates,” she told the newspaper.
The women were between 35 and 45 years old, officials said in a press release.
Health Department officials have asked lawmakers to issue warnings.
In a video provided by the sheriff of Orange County, a deputy could be heard saying: “You stole a vaccine from someone who needs it more than you”.
Guido said the warning means they cannot return to the convention center for any reason – including a vaccine, COVID-19 test, convention or show. If they return, they could be arrested.
Pino said the Department of Health investigation will try to determine where they were vaccinated earlier and how they managed to get an appointment. He said the department would “try to figure out if there are any gaps or gaps in the process that allow people to do so.”