Stanford Medicine last weekend vaccinated staff and researchers not considered front-line health care workers, according to a statement from Stanford officials, in a misstep that further underscores the institution's flawed vaccine distribution plan.
As first reported by the Stanford Daily, vaccine doses offered via walk-in appointments Saturday and Sunday at Stanford Hospital intended only for clinical staff were administered to some nonclinical staff, Stanford Medicine confirmed in a statement Wednesday.
In a statement earlier Wednesday, a Stanford spokesperson said "many individuals were turned away because they did not meet the necessary criteria." Later in the day, a follow-up statement said in part: "Unfortunately, this past weekend, inaccurate information regarding vaccine availability circulated within our community, leading some ineligible employees to receive a vaccination."
Only front-line health care workers were eligible to receive the vaccine at Stanford from Dec. 17 to Dec. 28. Other nonclinical staff are eligible beginning Jan. 8, the Daily reported.
But affiliates of the institution reportedly shared misinformation via email blasts and social media, saying there was an "excess" supply of vaccines and adding that nonclinical staff, including faculty and students, could walk in a get a shot, according to the Daily.
Stanford said Wednesday vaccinations are by invitation only, and notifications are sent through the MyHealth system and/or the department leader.
"At this time, Stanford Medicine is administering vaccines only to patient-facing health care workers," the statement continued. "We have addressed this issue and are confident that we will continue quickly vaccinating the entire Stanford Medicine community through an ethical and equitable process."
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This latest mix-up in Stanford Medicine's vaccine rollout comes nearly two weeks after dozens of front-line residents walked out in protest, saying they were passed over during the initial vaccination phase. Leaders with the institution after the protest acknowledged the algorithm being used for the vaccine distribution was flawed and apologized, promising to revise the plan to prioritize front-line workers.
Here's the latest full statement from Stanford Medicine regarding the latest vaccination mix-up:
"Across the country, health systems like Stanford Medicine are working hard to rapidly vaccinate their healthcare workforce under unprecedented conditions. Unfortunately, this past weekend, inaccurate information regarding vaccine availability circulated within our community, leading some ineligible employees to receive a vaccination. At this time, Stanford Medicine is administering vaccines only to patient-facing health care workers. We have addressed this issue and are confident that we will continue quickly vaccinating the entire Stanford Medicine community through an ethical and equitable process."
Here's the original full statement from Stanford Medicine earlier Wednesday:
"Stanford Medicine was disappointed to learn of false information circulating regarding vaccine availability. On Sunday, many individuals were turned away because they did not meet the necessary criteria. We recognize that ensuring an ethical and equitable vaccine distribution process depends on the commitment of vaccine recipients, as well as our administration.
"At this time, Stanford Medicine is administering vaccines to patient-facing health care workers. Vaccinations are by invitation only, and notifications are sent through the MyHealth system and/or the department leader. This equitable process follows the distribution and accounting guidelines of the California Department of Public Health and will enable us to vaccinate everyone in the Stanford Medicine community."
