Statement on HealthPartners COVID-19 vaccination efforts

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Over the weekend, we saw a large influx of appointments for COVID-19 vaccination from individuals who appeared to be outside of the prioritized groups we’re currently vaccinating. We identified that the email invitation we’d sent to health care workers with a private scheduling link intended solely for the individual recipient was being shared with others, despite clear directions not to do so. Unfortunately, this allowed people not currently eligible to take advantage of the scheduling system designed to help health care workers get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

Upon learning of this, we deactivated the scheduling links. We’re now reaching out to individuals who have appointments to verify their eligibility. Anyone who received a forwarded scheduling link and did not receive an email directly from HealthPartners has been asked to cancel. Anyone who shows up to a vaccine appointment without a valid employer identification from HealthPartners or one of the health care organizations we’re partnering with to vaccinate employees will not receive a vaccine.

Vaccine is in short supply right now and it is our responsibility to ensure that we follow state guidelines to vaccinate those at highest risk. Our first and current priority is to vaccinate health care workers, while also beginning to vaccinate our patients who are 75 years and older.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work to vaccinate our patients, members and community as quickly, safely and efficiently as we can.