Stanford Medicine last weekend vaccinated staff and researchers who are not considered primary health care workers, according to a statement by Stanford officials, in a misstep that further underscores the institution’s flawed vaccination distribution plan.
As first reported by the Stanford Daily, vaccine doses were offered through Saturday and Sunday walk-in appointments at Stanford Hospital, intended for clinical staff only, administered to some non-clinical staff, Stanford Medicine confirmed in a statement Wednesday.
In a statement earlier Wednesday, a Stanford spokesperson said that “many people were turned down for failing to meet the necessary criteria..Later in the day, a follow-up statement said in part, “Unfortunately, inaccurate information about vaccine availability circulated within our community over the past weekend, leading some ineligible workers to receive a vaccination. “
Only primary care health workers were eligible for the vaccine at Stanford from December 17 to December 28. Other non-clinical personnel will be eligible starting Jan. 8, the Daily reported.
But affiliates of the institution reportedly shared misinformation via email blasts and social media, saying there was an “excess” supply of vaccines and that non-clinical staff, including teachers and students, could be at risk, according to the Daily.
Stanford said Wednesday vaccinations are by invitation only and reports are sent through the MyHealth system and / or the department leader.
“At the moment, Stanford Medicine only administers vaccines to patient-focused health professionals,” the statement continued. “We have addressed this issue and are confident that we will rapidly continue to vaccinate the entire Stanford Medicine community through an ethical and fair process.”
This latest confusion in the introduction of Stanford Medicine’s vaccine comes nearly two weeks after dozens of front-line residents walked out in protest, saying they passed through the initial phase of vaccination. Leaders at the post-protest institution acknowledged that the algorithm used to distribute vaccines was flawed and apologized, pledging to revise the plan to give priority to frontline workers.
Here’s Stanford Medicine’s latest full statement regarding the latest vaccination confusion:
“Across the country, health systems such as Stanford Medicine are working hard to rapidly vaccinate their health care workers under unprecedented conditions. Unfortunately, inaccurate information about vaccine availability circulated within our community over the weekend, prompting some unsuitable workers to receive a vaccination. Stanford Medicine is only administering vaccines to patient-centered health professionals. We have addressed this issue and are confident that we will rapidly continue to vaccinate the entire Stanford Medicine community through an ethical and fair process. “
Here’s Stanford Medicine’s original full statement earlier Wednesday:
“Stanford Medicine was disappointed to learn that false information about the availability of vaccines was circulating. On Sunday, many people were expelled for failing to meet the necessary criteria. We recognize that ensuring an ethical and fair vaccination process depends on the commitment of the recipients of the vaccine, as well as our records.
“Currently, Stanford Medicine administers vaccines to patient-focused health professionals. Vaccinations are by invitation only and reports are sent through the MyHealth system and / or the department leader. This fair process follows the California Department of Public Health’s distribution and accounting guidelines. and will enable us to vaccinate everyone in the Stanford Medicine community. “