Healthcare Provider One Medical, Removed From the Vaccine Rollout in Some California Counties After Administering COVID-19 Vaccines to Ineligible People

By Joshua Summers First Posted: Feb 27, 2021 08:25 PM EST

One Medical, a healthcare provider that administers COVID-19 vaccine, is barred in some of the California counties after giving shots to people who are not yet eligible to take the remedy. Business Insider reports that the staff of the said institution has given the vaccine to younger people, who are not yet given a go signal in the state to be inoculated.

NPR noted that the San Francisco-based One Medical is given thousands of vaccine doses by the local health departments in some of the areas it provides medical services.

The local government of California is currently in the Phase1B of their vaccine rollout in which individuals 65 years old and older, and population in the sector of agriculture and food, education and childcare, and Emergency Services are given the chance to be inoculated. The scope of the eligibility of getting the vaccine determined by the number of supply.

Cutting off lines in the rollout

According to NPR, ineligible individuals who have connections with the company leadership were given vaccine appointments, and patients who are considered to be disqualified from receiving the vaccine are given the permission to skip the line and be the priority more than the patients who are more at risk.

ABC News pointed out that One Medical is a membership-based, primary care provider with locations across the country and charges a $199 annual fee. ABC News added that the healthcare provider is offering a technology-focused medical experience encompassing virtual video visits and mobile apps to schedule appointments.

Business Insider mentioned the places where ineligible vaccine distribution took place -- mainly San Francisco, San Mateo, Martin, Almeda, and Santa Clara. ABC News added that in the county of San Mateo, over 70 ineligible people are inoculated with the COVID vaccine. This was found by the authorities during an investigation that rooted from a complaint dating on February 5. ABC News furthered that the county has terminated its contract with One Medical with disappointment.

The Ultimatum

ABC News reported that the San Francisco Department of Public Health noted that they will allow the said healthcare provider to administer the second dose of the vaccine for those who are already scheduled, patients. However, the remaining 1,600 doses of vaccines awarded to them must be returned.

One Medical Spokesperson defended their side, telling Business Insider through a published statement that the institution has numerous checkpoints in place and the provider routinely turns people away who do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Moreover, One Medical spokesperson shared that their data shows that less than one percent of doses were administered or inoculated to people who are not included in the current eligible groups that will take the COVID vaccine, are inoculated to use the extra doses at the end of the day.

One Medical, which was removed from the vaccine rollout of some California Counties, shared with ABC News that they stand behind their policy that no eligible employees, members, or even business affiliates will intentionally be given the chance to cut off the line.