RI State Police Investigating Vaccine Cancellation Emails

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island State Police are looking into why certain Rhode Islanders received emails falsely claiming that their coronavirus vaccine appointments were canceled last week.

"We're taking this very seriously," Gov. Dan McKee said, adding that "we're not jumping to any conclusions."

The emails were sent to about 1,400 Rhode Islanders last week, said Tom McCarthy, the executive director of the state's COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort. The emails were sent in error, he said, and all appointments involved were still valid. The state reached out to those affected to let them know, McCarthy said at the time.

McCarthy said the emails were sent because of a system issue that was identified and corrected immediately.

Read more:

• RIPTA Offering RI Residents Free Rides For Vaccine Appointments
• Johnson & Johnson Coronavirus Vaccine Pause In RI: What To Know
  
• $5,000 Pandemic Relief Grants Available To RI's Small Businesses
  
• Where To Get A Coronavirus Vaccine In Rhode Island