NEW YORK – A health care network with centers in the city is being investigated for possible fraudulent obtaining of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The New York State Police and the Department of Health are in the early stages of an investigation by the Parcare Community Health Network. The network is located in Orange County. Its mission, according to its website, is to make health care accessible and available to undeserved communities.
The Health Department claims to have received reports that Parcare has received the vaccine fraudulently and distributed to the general public, despite the state and federal government’s plan to first give the vaccine to frontline health professionals and a vulnerable infirmary residents.
In a statement, the state health commissioner said the state is taking the allegations very seriously, adding in part: “Anyone found to have consciously participated in this scheme will be held responsible to the full extent of the law.”
Parcare says they have a long history of partnering with the city.
“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,” the network said in a statement.