ORLANDO, Florida (AP) – Two women who dressed themselves to appear as older adults to get coronavirus vaccinations were turned down and warned of violations in Orlando, officials said.
Dr. Raul Pino, a state health officer in Orange County – where Orlando is located – said the women disguised themselves on Wednesday with a hood, gloves and glasses.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Michelle Guido told the Orlando Sentinel that the women had changed their birth years in their vaccination registrations to bypass the state system, which puts people 65 and older ahead. It turned out that the women got the first shot, but it was unclear.
“Their names match their registration, but not their dates of birth,” she told the newspaper.
Health department officials have asked deputies to issue violation warnings.
Guido said the warning meant they could not return to the conference center for any reason – including a vaccine, COVID-19 test, rally or show. If they do return, they may be arrested.
Pino said the health department’s investigation will try to determine where they were previously vaccinated and how they managed to get an appointment. He said the department would “try to find out if there are holes, loopholes, that enable people to do that.”