Donors received special access to COVID-19 vaccine at Seattle area hospital

Washington State Democrat Governor Jay Inslee heavily chastised Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington, during a news conference, after receiving information that the hospital gave donors special access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

During the press conference, Inslee expressed "I am told that whatever they (Overlake Hospital) were doing has stopped." He added "we need to give everybody a fair shot at the vaccine. If they were giving preference to some VIP list, that’s not the way to do it."

After receiving a call from Governor Inslee’s office, the hospital ceased distributing the vaccine to anyone outside the requirements of vaccine eligibility.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, vaccine eligibility is available to anyone 65 and over and all people 50 and over who also live in a multigenerational household. First responders and COVID-19 "frontline" workers are also eligible.

Overlake’s Chief Operating Officer Tom DeBord explained, "It was never intended to be a donor event." The hospital needed to fill slots after the system was 'overtaxed' which resulted in unused vaccines that would’ve be thrown out if not used. DeBord emphasized to The Seattle Times that they were emailing people to fill the slots and these contacts were readily available.

Officials from Overlake Hospital explained that board members were not the only ones given an offer to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They extended the offer to patients, retired healthcare workers, and employees as well. The offer was only given to individuals who fell under the eligible category put forth by the Washington State Department of Health.