People paid vulnerable individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to be vaccinated on their behalf using their information to obtain B.C. vaccine cards, according to Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).
The regional health authority confirmed with Vancouver Is Awesome Friday (Jan. 14) that it is aware of instances of people attempting to obtain BC vaccine cards fraudulently by paying vulnerable individuals in the DTES to be vaccinated while falsely using their name and information.
"This behaviour is deplorable and we’re disappointed that anyone would take advantage of vulnerable people in this way in an attempt to circumvent the process for receiving a BC Vaccine Card," VCH said in a statement.
VCH has put in measures to "thwart these attempts," as well as to ensure anyone seeking a COVID-19 vaccine is eligible and their identification is confirmed.
The health authority is also removing fraudulent vaccination records from the Provincial Immunization Registry and revoking B.C. vaccine cards associated with them.
"Future instances of fraud may be forwarded to local police authorities for follow-up," added VCH.
In December 2021, Health Minister Adrian stated that the province was looking into suspicious vaccine records in the immune registry system.
To receive a BC Vaccine Card or federal proof of vaccination, you must have a full course of a Health Canada-approved vaccine (i.e., both doses of a two-dose series or one dose of Janssen).
