ParCare Community Health distributed the vaccine to members of the public instead of frontline health professionals and nursing home residents and employees
A New York medical provider is currently under investigation for fraudulently obtaining and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine.
ParCare Community Health Network, a multi-specialty treatment center that offers primary care and other services, became the center of a criminal investigation after suspicions of how the center acquired and distributed the vaccine, reports Newsweek.
Read more: pharmacy deserts expose racial and socioeconomic gap in access to vaccines
The investigation, led by the New York State Police, is being assisted by Department of Health officials.
In a series of tweets released on Sunday, ParCare expressed its intention to “actively cooperate” in the investigation.
“As we actively cooperate with the New York State Department of Health on this issue, we will continue to provide high quality health services to help New York get out of this pandemic.”
1/3 During these unprecedented times, we have endeavored to provide essential health services and administer COVID-19 vaccines to those qualified to receive them under New York State Department of Health guidelines >>>
– ParCare Medical Cntr (@ParCare) December 27, 2020
3/3 As we actively cooperate with the New York State Department of Health on this issue, we will continue to provide high quality health services to help New York escape this pandemic.
– ParCare Medical Cntr (@ParCare) December 27, 2020
In an official statement from the New York State Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker launched on Saturday, the department confirmed the investigation and that the center distributed the vaccine to members of the public instead of frontline health professionals, nursing home residents and staff members.
“We take this very seriously and the 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 accountable to the full extent of the law, ”said Zucker.
Read more: Experts believe vaccines will be effective against new variants of the virus
Pharmacy deserts are a concern that has surfaced since the arrival of the coronavirus vaccine and the uneven distribution among low-income black and brown communities.
As reported by CNN, a Chicago resident Rochelle Sykes expressed his concern for some communities without grocery stores or pharmacies within reach so that other residents have access to the vaccine as soon as available.
“If they are going to launch a vaccine and are going to launch it in supermarkets and pharmacies, I see a problem,” said Sykes. “Is it going to be free? That is a question. And how are they going to get there to get it? “
Rev. Marshall Elijah Hatch Sr., from the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, on the west side of Chicago, echoed the concerns of underserved communities and current barriers.
“It will be a crazy mess, especially if this vaccine is seen as safe and effective,” said Hatch. “It is very difficult to imagine that there will be some kind of equal distribution. We will have to fight ”.
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The post-New York health care provider investigated for the illegal use of the COVID vaccine first appeared on TheGrio.