Three San Francisco Bay Area counties have suspended delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to One Medical’s offices after the private health care provider allowed ineligible people to qualify for vaccines, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday.
According to the Chronicle, the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Alameda have stopped sending vaccine doses to One Medical and are aiming for the return of more than 1,600 doses. NBC Bay Area later confirmed the report.
The San Francisco Department of Health investigated complaints that the company was giving vaccines to people who did not meet the state’s early admission criteria, the report said, and the company’s response indicated that indeed ineligible people were before their time. were vaccinated.
California has only vaccinated people over 65, as well as healthcare and other essential workers. Early supply shortages forced some local health authorities to limit vaccinations to people over 75 or health workers.
In a letter to One Medical executives, San Francisco’s health department demanded the immediate return of 1,600 vaccine doses because they could not verify the eligibility of some vaccine recipients. The doses were reserved for “other uses,” the letter said, which was not approved by the health department. The company was allowed to keep enough doses to give a second injection to those who had already received an injection.
San Mateo and Alameda district officials also found discrepancies, the Chronicle reported, and also stopped their assignments.
NPR reported earlier Wednesday that One Medical was ignoring local regulations by allowing people to cut the line for vaccinations in multiple states, including workers who had no interaction with the public. Forbes reported similar claims earlier this month.
In a statement to MarketWatch, One Medical said, “All claims that we are generally and knowingly ignoring the authorization guidelines are in direct contradiction to our actual approach to vaccine administration.
“Recent media coverage of One Medical perpetuates dangerous public misconceptions about our COVID-19 vaccine protocols and, more importantly, has called into question our company values in our efforts to partner with health officials across the country to promote COVID. -19 vaccines. While this kind of reporting is daunting for our team members who have worked tirelessly nights and weekends to address the complexities and challenges of the vaccine’s introduction, we remain committed to our communities and hope that this report will enhance our ability to continue doing so does not hinder. this pivotal work, “the company said, adding that 96% of those vaccinated had appropriate documentation, and the other 4%” had been vaccinated in accordance with zero-spill protocols. “
One Medical is a member-based health clinic with offices in 12 major markets and partners with more than 7,000 companies. In November, One Medical reported that it had more than 511,000 members.
Shares of One Medical parent company 1Life Healthcare Inc. ONEM,
Wednesday dropped more than 4%. After the IPO in January 2020, shares are up 126% over the past 12 months compared to the SPX of the S&P 500,
26% profit.