Two women who dressed up to make themselves look like older adults to receive coronavirus vaccinations were rejected and warned of violations in Orlando, officials said.
Dr. Raul Pino, the Orange County state health officer, said the women dressed up on Wednesday wearing hats, gloves and glasses.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Michelle Guido told the Orlando Sentinel that the women have changed their birth years on their vaccination records to bypass the state system, which prioritizes people 65 and older. It turned out that the women had gotten the first shot, but it was unclear where.
“Their names matched their registration, but not their date of birth,” she told the newspaper.
The women were 35 and 45 years old, officials said in a press release.
Health department officials asked deputies to issue violation warnings.
In a video from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy sheriff was heard saying, “You stole a vaccine from someone who needs it more than you.”
Guido said the warning means they cannot return to the convention center for any reason – including a vaccine, COVID-19 test, convention, or show. If they return, they can be arrested.
Pino said the health department investigation will try to determine where they were vaccinated before and how they made an appointment. He said the department “will try to find out if there are gaps or loopholes in the process that allow people to do that.”