A Disney employee and Riverside resident reportedly announced on Facebook that she received the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of front line workers because she is related to a Redlands Community Hospital employee.
“When I woke up this morning, I didn’t think I would be getting the COVID-19 vaccine today. But here we are. I’m so very happy,” the woman posted on Sunday, Dec.20. “Science is basically my religion, so this was a big deal for me.”
When a commenter asked the woman how she had jumped the line, she said she had a relative who was a “big deal” at the hospital and had some doses of the vaccine set to expire, according to The Orange County Register.
“Redlands Community Hospital administered its allotment of Pfizer vaccines to its frontline physicians, healthcare workers and support staff per California Department of Public Health guidelines,” a statement from the hospital says.
“After physicians and staff who expressed interest in the vaccine were administered, there were several doses left. Because the reconstituted Pfizer vaccine must be used within hours or be disposed of, several doses were administered to non-front line healthcare workers so that valuable vaccine would not be thrown away.”
Redlands Community began administering its first batch of the vaccine to frontline workers and support staff on Dec. 18.