Investigation underway on reports that the healthcare network distributed the COVID-19 vaccine in violation of NY guidelines

An investigation is underway on reports that an Orange County-based health provider may have “fraudulently obtained” the COVID-19 vaccine and given it to members of the public without following New York’s vaccine prioritization guidelines.

A statement released on Saturday by state health commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says that the ParCare Community Health Network “may have obtained it fraudulently [the] The COVID-19 vaccine transferred it to facilities in other parts of the state, violating state guidelines, and diverted it to the public. ”

He goes on to say that this would be “contrary to the state’s plan to administer it first to frontline health professionals, as well as residents and nursing home employees.”

“We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting the state police in a criminal investigation into the matter. Anyone found to have consciously participated in this scheme will be held responsible to the full extent of the law, “said Zucker.

On December 16, ParCare Health and Medical Center posted on Facebook that they were allowed to distribute the vaccine to people who meet certain criteria. They also claim to have received thousands of doses of the Moderna vaccine on the morning of December 21.

News 12 has contacted ParCare and is awaiting a response. Parcare lists four locations in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan and one in Monroe, Orange County on its website.

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