Pasadena Officials to Reschedule Thursday COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Postponed After Unauthorized Applicants Set Appointments

[UPDATED] A coronavirus vaccination schedule for Thursday will be rescheduled according to a city statement.

City officials made the announcement on Tuesday morning after a group of unauthorized people obtained a link and reserved appointments.

According to the city statement the link was shared with a “large group of entertainment, news and production individuals,” according to a city statement released on Tuesday.

“Due to the complexity of confirming legitimate, vaccine eligible residents in the system, our health department is forced to reschedule Thursday’s vaccination clinic.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, 900 of the vaccination slots were filled by late Monday and city officials could not call to audit all of the applicants to verify local residency or employment.

Roughly 1.7 million essential workers, including teachers, became eligible for vaccines last week state-wide, on top of the health care workers and residents aged 65 and over who were already eligible.

People working in entertainment, news and production jobs are not eligible to receive the vaccine.

Starting March 15, the county will adhere to new state guidance that expands eligibility to everyone aged 16 to 64 with an underlying health condition that makes them susceptible to severe illness or death from COVID-19.

The city said it would continue to adhere to state guidelines and vaccinate only eligible Pasadena residents.

The city attempted to contact the ineligible registrants, but ultimately decided to reschedule the event. So far a new date has not been announced.

“President Biden has stated publicly that there will be enough vaccine supply by the end of May for every American who wants one, so please wait your turn, and we will continue to offer vaccine to those currently eligible based on the state health department prescribed prioritization.”

According to City News Service, the county this week was expected to receive about 312,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, its highest weekly allotment to date. Health officials are hoping the number will continue to increase as more people become eligible for shots and as more businesses and activities reopen, leading to more mingling of residents.

The state guidance says vaccinations will be offered to people between ages 16 and 64 who suffer from:

•    cancer;

•    chronic kidney disease;

•    chronic pulmonary disease;

•    Down syndrome;

•    weakened immune system from solid organ transplant;

•    pregnancy;

•    sickle cell disease;

•    heart conditions;

•    severe obesity; and

•    Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Also becoming available for vaccines will be anyone 16 or over who suffers from a “developmental or other severe high-risk disability” that leaves the person susceptible to serious illness or death from COVID; if acquiring COVID will limit the person’s ability to receiving necessary ongoing care or services; or if the disability would hamper the person’s ability to be treated for COVID.

County Chief Science Officer Dr. Paul Simon said last week county officials are still awaiting more guidance from the state on how to determine who will fall into that eligibility category.