Coronavirus vaccine line jumpers sneaking their way to get vaccinated out of turn

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

While state guidelines say only certain groups of Missouri's population are eligible to get the coronavirus vaccine, some are reportedly getting the vaccine out of turn.

Last week, Governor Mike Parson and Dr. Randall Williams said there have been reports of people jumping the line to get a coronavirus vaccine and some vaccinators have been giving it to people not in the current tier.

"We do get reports of people who are purposely, talking about vaccinators, deviating from our guidelines," Williams said. "I called one, and they confessed. I explained to them very clearly that we are going to prioritize our most vulnerable and any deviation from that, as the Governor said, will be met with consequences."

ABC 17 News confirmed if a vaccinator is caught not following the state's guidelines, their future vaccine allocation could be impacted.

Vaccine line jumpers is an issue that is popping up across the U.S. People purposefully either lie about their health condition to get ahead in line or somehow get a vaccine appointment when it's not their turn.

Sara Humm with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department said she hasn't heard any reports of this happening in Boone County but wants people to take this seriously.

"If someone is thinking about it, think about if that's their grandparent, or if that's their parent. Someone who maybe not getting a spot in getting a vaccine because someone's not being honest," Humm said.

Right now, the Columbia/Boone County Health Department is vaccinating those in Phase 1A and Phase 1B, Tier 1. Those include long-term care facility residents, staff, healthcare personnel, and first responders.

When getting vaccinated, the area health department asks for people's jobs and positions to verify if their a health care workers or first responder. No IDs or medical records are checked. Humm said the health department is relying on people to be honest.

"I know people are panicked, and they're feeling frustrated but again we're asking folks to be considerate to our fellow community members who are at higher risk."

If you decide to get your vaccine through MU Health Care, they ask you to sign an attestation and will check ID's before getting your vaccine.

At the Cole County Health Department, similar policies are in place. Kristi Campbell with the Cole County Health Department said "at some point, we do have to take people at their word. We have to trust them and that they're telling us the right thing."

Dr. Lenora Adams with SSM Health St. Mary's Jefferson City said in the grand scheme a hospital's main focus is to vaccinate as many people as possible.

"In the instance of a mass vaccination event, which is a monumental task, it's impossible to micromanage at a very detailed level," Adams said.

ABC 17 News is told the only people who would have access to your medical records to verify your tier would be your primary care doctor.

If you do suspect people are line jumping or a health care provider isn't following the state's guidelines, you can contact covidvaccine@health.mo.gov.