Two women who disguised themselves to appear as older adults to be vaccinated against coronavirus were rejected and issued rape notices in Orlando, officials said.
Dr. Raul Pino, the state health agent for Orange County, said the women dressed up Wednesday with hoods, gloves and glasses.
Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Michelle Guido told the Orlando Sentinel that women changed birth years by registering to be vaccinated to avoid the state system, which prioritizes people over 65 . It looked like the women had received the first shot, but it was not clear where.
“Their names matched the record, but not the dates of birth,” he told the newspaper.
The women were between the ages of 35 and 45, officials said in a press release.
Department of Health officials asked deputies to issue rape notice of violations.
In a video provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy could be heard saying, “You stole a vaccine from someone who needs it more than you do.”
Guido said the warning means they cannot return to the convention center for any reason, including a vaccine, a COVID-19 test, a convention or a show. If they return, they could be arrested.
Pino said the Department of Health’s investigation will try to determine where they were vaccinated before and how they got an appointment. He said the department “will try to find out if there are any holes, cracks, in the process that allow people to do this.”