With several approved vaccines officially in distribution around the world, some people expected that COVID-19 would be little but a memory by the summer of 2021. Delays and seemingly endless hurdles in vaccine distribution have blunted this expectation somewhat, particularly after news broke that numerous attempts have been made to steal doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
It’s true. People are allegedly really making attempts to steal vaccines. In Polk County, Florida, 31-year-old paramedic Joshua Colon has been charged with stealing three doses of the Moderna vaccine at the behest of his supervisor, Capt. Tony Damiano. Colon then allegedly attempted to fudge the paperwork to cover up his theft. Damiano reportedly wanted the vaccine for his elderly mother, according to USA Today.
Two of the doses allegedly stolen by Colon were left unrefrigerated and are no longer viable for use. One remains unaccounted for. He resigned from his position, and faces 12 felony charges and two misdemeanor charges. His supervisor, Damiano, is under investigation, as well.
In Philadelphia, the CEO of start-up Philly Fighting COVID was allegedly seen packing “a bundle of unused vaccines into his bag” on Jan. 23. Volunteers working on site say they saw Andrei Doroshin take “maybe 10 to 15” doses, which were allotted for the long line of people awaiting the vaccine, and put them in his bag, according to WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR station.
Later, a Snapchat photo reportedly showed him administering a dose to an unidentified person. This came less than a day after dozens of people, many of them elderly, were turned away due to a supposed lack of supply.
Doroshin later admitted that he took the doses home with him. What consequences he will face for his actions, if any, have yet to be determined.
Alleged attempts of stealing the COVID-19 vaccine have also occurred in Texas. Dr. Hasan Gokal has been charged with taking nine doses of the vaccine on Dec. 29, 2020, according to CNN. He allegedly administered them to several people he claims were eligible, including his wife. He was fired from his position and charged with theft by a public servant.
The alleged thefts were all promptly reported by witnesses, and authorities are cracking down in hopes of dissuading any future thieves.
Read more on the coronavirus vaccine:
- These companies are actually paying their employees to get the COVID vaccine
- An ER doc takes us inside her COVID-19 vaccination experience—and assuages our fears
- How companies have turned to blockchain to respond to the COVID ‘data crisis’
- If you have these COVID vaccine side effects, Fauci says it’s actually good news
- All 5 COVID vaccines are even more effective at preventing deaths than we thought
- Could the COVID-19 vaccine shot eventually be replaced by a pill?
- Does the Moderna vaccine work against the new COVID-19 variants?
- Will the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be as effective as Pfizer and Moderna?
- How long will the COVID-19 vaccines keep you safe from the coronavirus?
- Can you drink alcohol after getting the coronavirus vaccine?
Continue Learning