A health care provider in New York is under investigation after being accused of ‘fraudulently’ obtaining COVID-19 vaccines and distributing them to the public.
In a statement released Saturday, the State Department of Health disclosed that they had received reports that the Orange County Parcare Community Health Network had broken with New York’s plan to administer the vaccine to primary care health workers, and first to residents of nursing homes and staffers.
The statement said the network “ may have fraudulently obtained the COVID-19 vaccine, transferred it to facilities in other parts of the state in violation of state guidelines, and forwarded it to members of the public. ”
Parcare had posted images on social media of their centers receiving hundreds of doses of the Moderna vaccine, claiming they had received state clearance despite not being officially listed.
State Commissioner for Health Dr. Howard Zucker, in the photo, revealed Saturday that the Parcare Community Health Network in Orange County is under investigation for allegedly having fraudulently obtained up to 2,800 doses of the Moderna vaccine.
This would be the first case of vaccine fraud in New York since the rollout began on December 15. In the photo, a nurse is preparing a COVID-19 Moderna vaccine for an employee of the NYFD
On December 21, Parcare posted an image of their shipment of Moderna vaccines
“We take this very seriously and DOH will assist the state police in a criminal investigation into this matter,” said state commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.
“Anyone who knowingly participated in this scheme will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
The Parcare Network, with locations in Brooklyn, Orange County and Manhattan, is not among the facilities listed as a state-designated vaccination center.
But on a Facebook page linked to one of the Brooklyn locations, they posted on Dec. 16 that they were “ authorized to distribute the # CovidVaccine for people who meet certain criteria. ”
They urged patients to register with them for a vaccine if they were considered high risk or if they had underlying health problems.
On Dec. 21, they posted another update stating they had just received thousands of doses of the vaccine at their centers.
‘A small injection can make all the difference for the whole community! our @ParCare Centers received thousands of # COVID19 #Moderna #vaccines this morning, ‘they wrote.
“Thanks to @UPS and our dedicated staff who got up early to receive this life-saving mission #healthcareheroes.”
BoroPark24 reported that the network’s Borough Park location had received 600 Moderna vaccines that morning, while the balance of their 2,800 doses were sent to their other four locations.
Parcare posted on December 16 saying they were “ authorized to distribute the #CovidVaccine for people who fall under certain criteria ” but are not officially listed
Parcare shared this image to Facebook of their Moderna vaccine shipment
“Hundreds of patients have already been vaccinated today and people are still coming in,” Gary Schlesinger, the CEO and president of ParCare told the publication, adding that they had hoped to vaccinate 500 people on that first day.
“You have to be on that list,” said Schlesinger. Once you’re on the list, we need to see a vet to make sure you’re a health professional, over 60, or have underlying conditions.
“We will not give the vaccine to people who are not eligible for this first series of shots.”
He had also claimed the center would continue to receive more doses of the vaccine despite not being an assigned distributor.
“ Hopefully in a week or two we’ll have enough to give more people, but right now this is what it is, ” he said, claiming to the publication that they could get their hands on the doses because they are larger than other clinics.
According to its website, the provider is “a multi-specialty center providing services such as primary care, internal medicine, dermatology, physiotherapy and pediatrics; helping our patients maintain optimal health and prevent potential disease ‘.
This would be the first fraud involving vaccine rollouts in New York since distribution began on December 15.
It is unclear what penalties Parcare could face if found guilty of fraud.
Moderna was contacted for comment, but had not yet responded.
View of Parcare Health & Medical Center in Monroe, Orange County. The network also has locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan that have received doses of the vaccine
As of Wednesday, the last time an update was given, 89,000 New Yorkers have now received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
According to a statement, 22,000 doses were administered in 90 nursing home facilities.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that the state is “ vaccinating New Yorkers as soon as possible. ”
“But getting to the levels of immunity we need is a long-term effort,” he added.
New Yorkers took the state’s contamination rate from the highest to the lowest, and they should be commended for that. Now we must continue the good work.
“We will eventually win the battle with COVID-19, but the New Yorkers still have a long journey ahead,” said Cuomo.
The holidays are a time to celebrate and reflect, but it brings the potential for more diversification if we let our guard down. It’s vital that New Yorkers celebrate smart, wash their hands, wear masks, and socialize during the holiday season. ‘
On Thursday, New York Senator Chuck Schumer said that the New York high, apart from the funds given to New York City, will receive about $ 800 million to ensure the coronavirus vaccine and other coronavirus care efforts will be available.
“The most important thing we want to ensure about the coronavirus vaccine is universal access – no barriers – for New Yorkers,” said Schumer.
“Part of the way we do that, and making sure there is a free vaccine available here in New York, revolves around the federal funds we just got in the late-voted COVID bill. [Tuesday] night.
‘Communities all over Upstate will get a significant share of over $ 775 million dollars to do these things, and I’m here to say the money is coming, and to publicize what happens next for places when they get the speed up distribution. ‘
There were 10,806 new COVID-19 cases reported in New York on Saturday as the state’s positivity rate remained at 5.36 percent.
There were 122 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 29,396.
On Saturday, 6,884 people in New York were hospitalized with COVID-19, 1,129 of whom were in ICU.
Across the country, 18.8 million Americans are infected with the coronavirus and 331,116 deaths have occurred.