(WXYZ) – The race to vaccinate continues in southeast Michigan, despite a hiccup at Beaumont Health, which resulted in nearly 3,000 appointments being canceled.
According to the health system, someone found a virtual loophole in the planning system that allowed them to cut the line. All while vaccination efforts are set to increase in Wayne County this week.
Beaumont said someone found a weak stop in the epic software, the electronic medical record system, then shared an unauthorized route through which they could bypass the state’s priority vaccination group and just make an appointment.
The health system discovered it over the weekend and shut it down, but 2,700 people had already scheduled their appointments, it sounds like they didn’t realize they were breaking the rules.
Beaumont said it will not interrupt ongoing vaccine efforts and has notified Epic national headquarters to prevent this from happening elsewhere.
“These appointments violate the ethical distribution framework that Beaumont has created based on the Michigan State’s mandatory vaccine guidelines. We regret that 2,700 people in our community have been victims of this unfortunate incident, ”Beaumont Health’s senior VP said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Wayne County said it will receive nearly 8,400 doses of the vaccine this week, nearly double the shipment last week.
.@BuienRadarNL statement below.
“These appointments violate the ethical distribution framework Beaumont has established under the Michigan State’s mandatory vaccine guidelines. We regret that 2,700 people in our community have been victims of this unfortunate incident.”@wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/MDddeWfhR5
– Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) February 1, 2021
“While we are pleased to see our allocation increased, we are still concerned that we will not get our fair and equitable distribution,” said County COO Genelle Allen.
Supply has been a problem for Wayne County, which has had weekly deliveries ranging from less than 1,000 doses to about 5,000 doses. Executive Warren Evans said it has slowed efforts to vaccinate vital workers and people over 65.
“I’d love to have it, but I don’t mind waiting my turn, I know it’s scarce at the moment,” said Joan Bellemare from Plymouth.
Starting Tuesday, the new doses will help vaccinate K-12 teachers.
“We just want to make sure that our Wayne County residents get their fair and equitable share,” Allen added.
As for Beaumont, the health system said anyone who made an appointment through this loophole will be notified that their appointment has been canceled.