(WXYZ) – The race for vaccination continues in southeast Michigan, though a hiccup at Beaumont Health led to the cancellation of nearly 3,000 appointments.
According to the health system, someone found a virtual crack in the programming system that allowed them to cut the line. Although vaccination efforts are expected to accelerate in Wayne County this week.
Beaumont said someone found a weak stop in epic software, its electronic medical record system, and then shared an unauthorized route that allowed them to overlook the state’s priority vaccination group and only arrange a date.
The health system discovered it over the weekend and shut it down, but 2,700 people had already scheduled their appointments, apparently without realizing they were breaking the rules.
Beaumont said he will not interrupt ongoing vaccination efforts and has notified Epic’s national corporate office that this will not happen elsewhere.
“These citations violate the ethical distribution framework that Beaumont created based on Michigan State Mandatory Vaccine Guidelines. We regret that 2,700 people in our community have been victims of this unfortunate incident,” he said. senior vice president of Beaumont Health in a statement.
Meanwhile, Wayne County said it will get about 8,400 doses of vaccine this week, nearly double its shipment last week.
.@BeaumontHealth following statement.
“These citations violate the ethical distribution framework that Beaumont created based on Michigan State’s mandatory vaccine guidelines. We regret that 2,700 people in our community have been victims of this unfortunate incident.”@wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/MDddeWfhR5
– Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) February 1, 2021
“While we are excited to see that our allocation has increased, we are still concerned that we will not get our fair and equitable distribution,” said county general manager Genelle Allen.
Supply has been a problem for Wayne County, which has shipped weekly from less than 1,000 doses to about 5,000 doses. Executive Warren Evans said he has halted efforts to vaccinate essential workers and those over 65.
“I’d love to get it, but I don’t mind waiting my turn, I know it’s almost here now,” said Joan Bellemare of Plymouth.
Starting Tuesday, the new doses will help vaccinate K-12 teachers.
“We just want to make sure Wayne County residents receive their fair and equitable participation,” Allen added.
As for Beaumont, the health care system said anyone who has requested an appointment through this breach will receive a notification that their appointment has been canceled.