After ten months in a global pandemic, a coronavirus vaccine is slowly being rolled out to US citizens.
As the vaccine is distributed by the government, each state has been given the power to draw up a distribution plan that considers people of certain ages, health limitations or occupations a higher priority for vaccination.
In California, the home of the showbiz – which has struggled since the start of the pandemic – health workers and citizens over the age of 65 can be vaccinated according to one of two approved options.
The deployment plan has been widely criticized for its slow motion, but it has not stopped some Hollywood titans from using their own resources – whether it be money, fame, connections or even private jets – to get a vaccine for themselves. .
STARS RECEIVED THE COVID-19 VACCINE
According to sources, Irving Azoff, 73, who is eligible to get the vaccine on his own, has enabled the music industry to facilitate the vaccinations of those closest to him.
“I am a 73-year-old cancer survivor. I recently had part of my bowel removed. That’s right, I received the vaccine, and I’m glad I did,” Azoff told Variety in a statement. said. “All who are eligible should be vaccinated as soon as they can.”
California’s distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine has been widely criticized for its slow deployment. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
He did not confirm whether anyone else had been vaccinated.
It is said that dr. Robert Bray, neurological spinal surgeon in Newport Beach, California, recommended the vaccinations of several notable figures, including Azoff. The doctor is circulating among powerful circles by reference by the acting chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation Robert Goldstein, sources claim.
Bray told Fox News that his practice was not a concierge service, and although he was contacted by industry figures, he had not yet administered any vaccines.
In addition, he said that his practice follows the level of the state and that according to the practice he grants the “extra” doses, although such a dose is ‘very rare’.
The doctor said he knew Goldstein, but told Variety that he could not disclose whether he had treated his contacts due to HIPPA.
COMMANDED HOPE FOR 1.5 MILLION VACCINATIONS A DAY, AFTER ‘NOTHING WE CAN DO’ COMMENTS
In addition, dr. Robert Huizenga told Variety in Beverly Hills that his practice was offered to more than $ 10,000 by people – some of whom were employees in the entertainment industry – in exchange for a vaccination.
“We were offered bribes. We see people taking planes to every place,” he explained. “We’ve seen people try to get into the health care profession or staff at nursing homes from time to time so that they are eligible for an early vaccination.”
The doctor added that ‘you can not really blame [industry figures] to pull out all the points. The state and the government have put in place a system that is really awful. ‘
Dr. Robert Ansell, program director of UCLA’s executive health program, was bombarded with requests about where to get vaccinated in Westside neighborhoods in LA, Variety reports.
President Joe Biden hopes that within a few weeks, 1.5 million coronavirus vaccines will be administered daily. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
((AP Photo / Alex Brandon))
“UCLA is performing extremely well according to the book and has not yet given a single chance to the concierge patients,” said a member of the service.
A spokesman added that “philanthropic support is by no means a measure to determine the candidate for vaccine, and that there is no program or options to circumvent the vaccination priorities at UCLA Health. We are following the direction of the department of public health in Los Angeles and gives priority to health care workers, followed by patients aged 65 and older, who face the greatest risk due to their medical conditions.As the stock increases and the guidelines increase, we are willing to increase the number of people vaccinated. “
The members of UCLA’s board of regents, including Jay Sures, co-president of the United Talent Agency, Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, and Sherry Lansing, former head of Paramount Pictures, reportedly received calls from friends in the industry received to inquire about receiving a vaccine.
Lansing told Fox News that “absolutely no one” inside or outside the entertainment industry asked her to cross the border when it came to receiving a vaccine, and although she discussed vaccination with contacts, it was more in an informal girlfriend. a friend-to-conversation rather than an advisory or informative capacity.
The famous pharmacy Mickey Fine from Beverly Hills apparently also told patients via an audio message that they have not yet received any vaccines for distribution.
DISTRIBUTION OF CORONAVIRUS VACCINE: STATE-TO-STATE DISTRIBUTION
Insiders also said that some employees in the industry such as managers, producers, agents and even directors have focused their focus on obtaining vaccines for stars’ family members.
“It’s ‘The Hunger Games’ out there,” said an anonymous manager in the industry.
Some chose to go beyond California to seek help.
Former Dick Clark Productions (73) CEO Allen Shapiro (73) allegedly took a private plane to Florida to search for a vaccine. Vaccination in the state was a button topic, as Governor Ron DeSantis had just allowed patients to be vaccinated without proof of residence, but this was reversed by State Surgeon General Scott Rivkees. Sources said Shapiro owns property in the state.
Former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, 72, recently confirmed that he traveled from New York to Florida to be vaccinated.
Maui is reportedly another hotspot for travelers to get treatment.
It is noteworthy, however, that some of Hollywood’s heavyweights are making their dedication, as a high-powered Hollywood figure has been waiting so long in line at Dodgers Stadium, a witness thought the Tesla driver’s battery power could run out, per the exhaust valve.
In fact, Harrison Ford (78) booked his own appointment to be vaccinated and waited two and a half hours in line to be treated, while Arnold Schwarzenegger (73), Steve Martin (75) and more stars shared their vaccination experiences online. shared.
“People in the industries in these positions need to use their power to help and heal the system, and not hurt it,” a media executive who previously worked as a health worker told Variety.
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Dr Art Caplan, director of the medical ethics department at the NYU School of Medicine, said it was ‘bad behavior’ to take such action.
“It should not be approved. We need to find ways to punish it,” he said. “We have 91-year-olds waiting, health workers waiting. People who are rich can easily find ways to quarantine, mask and be isolated for another month or two, and more [vaccines] will be available. ‘
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Sures did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment, while Guber and Goldstein could not be reached immediately.