State health officials are investigating whether an Orange County-based health unit violated Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution guidelines by sending it to the New York-based chain’s facilities which then allegedly administered it to the general public.
In a brief statement on Saturday by state Department of Health commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, investigators are analyzing reports that the Parcare Community Health Network, with locations in Brooklyn, Orange County and Manhattan, “may have fraudulently obtained [the] Vaccine for covid-19 [and] transferred to facilities in other parts of the state. ”The alleged diversion by the Parcare Community Health Network violates” the state’s plan to manage [the vaccine] first for frontline health workers, as well as residents and health care workers, “said Zucker.
“We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting the State Police in a criminal investigation into the matter,” added Zucker. “Anyone found to have consciously participated in this scheme will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
The state’s investigation came five days after BoroPark News, a hyperlocal news publication, published a story reporting that a Brooklyn-based Parcare Community Health Network office was offering hundreds of the two-dose vaccine to seniors, those considered high risky or with “underlying health conditions.” According to the publication, the chain has units in Williamsburg, Crown Heights, Bensonhurst and East Harlem, with 2,800 vaccines available.
Gary Schlesinger, the CEO and president of the healthcare network, told the publication that more vaccines will arrive each day. “Once you are on the list, we have to check to make sure that you are a health worker, over 60 or have underlying diseases,” he told the publication.
A photo accompanying the article shows two men, each holding a box of Moderna vaccine.
In a statement sent on Saturday night, Parcare said that “during these unprecedented times, we have endeavored to provide essential health services and administer COVID-19 vaccines to those qualified to receive them under Department of Health guidelines. of the State of New York, which includes frontline health professionals and first responders … 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 out of this pandemic ”.
It is unclear what penalties the Parcare Community Health Network would face if found guilty of fraud.
A link to a Google form in the BoroPark News article asking customers to provide their insurance information and declare whether they are over 75 or the first to respond.
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived in New York state last week, a week after Pfizer received emergency clearance to deliver the vaccine to Empire State. Frontline healthcare professionals must receive the vaccine first, according to federal guidelines.
Parcare did not immediately respond to a request for comment through its customer service.
This story was updated on December 27 with a statement from Parcare.