Line-Jumpers Force Cancellation of COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic

PASADENA, CA — A COVID-19 vaccination clinic scheduled for Thursday in Pasadena has to be canceled because of line-jumpers who obtained the registration link for appointments, the Pasadena Public Health Department announced Tuesday.

It's a problem that has been plaguing vaccination efforts across the county, particularly clinics targeting hard-to-reach communities. In the case of Pasadena, a "large group" of ineligible people got their hands in the registration link eating up slots intended for others. A similar event happened last month in Boyle Heights where residents from wealthy Westside communities lined up for vaccines in the Ramona Gardens housing project.

"It has come to our attention that a registration link for this Thursday's Pasadena Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinic was shared with a large group of entertainment, news and production individuals," according to a statement from the city. "This group is NOT currently eligible to receive vaccine according to state criteria, which was also outlined in the verbiage attached to the registration link.

"Due to the complexity of confirming legitimate, vaccine-eligible registrants in the system, our health department is forced to reschedule Thursday's vaccination clinic."

Authorities have grappled with line-jumpers from the start. Many times residents don't realize they are jumping the line while others simply don't care. Health officials have tried using special codes and links for appointments shared with eligible groups, but they frequently are leaked. They have also tried mobile clinics and appointment-free clinics in underserved communities.

The issue was highlighted when Gov. Gavin Newsom made an appearance at Ramona Gardens, where a vaccine clinic had been set up for low-income residents of the neighborhood, using a dedicated appointment- registration code. Many people who showed up to the clinic with appointments lived outside the area, but had managed to obtain the code, preventing actual residents from making appointments.

In their statement Tuesday, Pasadena officials warned that people who sign up for appointments when they aren't eligible won't receive the vaccine.

"Please wait your turn. Unfortunate circumstances such as this inhibit our ability to vaccinate residents as quickly as possible," according to the city. "President Biden has stated publicly that he expects there will be enough vaccine supply by the end of May for every American who wants one. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to vaccinate residents as quickly and as equitably as possible."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.