As the country continues to see the highest levels of new Covid-19 cases, hospitalization and death, Wealthy patients in Southern California – the state center of the Covid-19 crisis – are offering to pay a dollar to cut the line and be among the first to receive a vaccine.
High-level clients are willing to pay for early access: At several concierge medical practices in Southern California, doctors say they have received calls from their wealthy clients asking if they would get early access to a very small supply of vaccine doses in exchange for a financial donation to a hospital or hospital. charity. .
Dr. Jeff Toll, whose boutique in-house medical practice has claimed benefits at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said one patient donated $ 25,000 to the hospital in exchange for an early photograph of the vaccine. The use of a Hole serves a high grid that includes senior officers and entertainment figures, but the doctor said he tells patients that they also have to wait because the first round of vaccines distributed to those most in need of protection.
First shots administered in the state: Earlier this week, California received 327,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, administering the first shots to frontline health care workers fighting the virus that has caused more than 22,000 deaths nationwide since its inception. the pandemic.
“I think one of the hardest things for doctors caring for these high-powered people is being able to say, you don’t have to wait,” Toll said.
These people usually do not have to wait. “
Toll said his practice has been claimed by the state of California to become a vaccine circulation center for its clients and has already purchased special ultra-cold freezers with a view to storing filters of the vaccine Pfizer.
“They wanted it yesterday”: Dr. David Nazarian, from My Concierge MD in Beverly Hills, said several of his A-list messengers are contacting him, saying money is not an item if it helps them get vaccinated early.
“They wanted it yesterday,” a Nazi said. “We will play by the rules but we are doing what we can to make the vaccine secure and available when it becomes available to us.”
Viruses continue to prey through California: In recent weeks Southern California has seen an unprecedented rise in new Covid-19 infections and hospitals, with hospital intensive care bed capacity falling to 0% and health officials issuing alarming warnings if the virus continues to spread. spread out of control.
Concierge MD LA founder Dr. Abe Malkin said he has received more than 100 phone calls from people trying to get early on the original doses.
“I would say that 5 to 10% of those were willing to try to donate a little to charity to put themselves in line,” according to Malkin.
Officers push back on queue jump: When it comes to cutting by line, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned that the state will be “very aggressive in making sure that those with means, those with influence, do not gather out those who deserve the vaccines.”
“For those who think they can get ahead of the line, and for those who think because they have the resources, or have relationships that allow them to do so. We’ll be keeping that under review. very, very close, “Newsom said this month.
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