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1/ On Monday, a man who’s 60+ with underlying conditions went to a @GiantFood pharmacy in Virginia for his vaccine appointment. He is undocumented and brought a consular ID.
He was told that corporate policy is not to vaccinate people without social security numbers...
He was told that corporate policy is not to vaccinate people without social security numbers...
2/ As we wrote last week, you can’t be denied a COVID-19 vaccine because you don’t have a SSN or insurance.
Immigration status shouldn’t affect eligibility either.
And no one is supposed to be charged anything for receiving the vaccine.
But it’s happening.
Immigration status shouldn’t affect eligibility either.
And no one is supposed to be charged anything for receiving the vaccine.
But it’s happening.
3/ The Virginia man had to leave without a vaccine. Similar vaccine denials have happened to others across the country and with different providers.
Almost every case we've heard of happened to someone who is Latino and/or Black.
Almost every case we've heard of happened to someone who is Latino and/or Black.
4/ After ProPublica contacted @GiantFood, a spokesperson acknowledged the incident was true and said it shouldn't have happened:
“We have reached out to all stores to let them know to not make this mistake again,” the spokesperson said.
“We have reached out to all stores to let them know to not make this mistake again,” the spokesperson said.
5/ Giant says it is reaching out to the man who was denied a vaccine to offer another appointment.
But he says he’s too uncomfortable with what happened to go back to Giant. A friend helped him get the appointment and is helping him find another one somewhere else.
But he says he’s too uncomfortable with what happened to go back to Giant. A friend helped him get the appointment and is helping him find another one somewhere else.
6/ The friend contacted us because we’re gathering cases like this one to expose barriers to vaccine access and help provide accurate information about your right to a vaccine.
English: https://www.propublica.org/article/false-barriers-these-things-should-not-prevent-you-from-getting-a-covid-vaccine
Español: https://www.propublica.org/article/barreras-falsas-estas-cosas-no-deberian-impedirle-vacunarse-contra-covid-19
English: https://www.propublica.org/article/false-barriers-these-things-should-not-prevent-you-from-getting-a-covid-vaccine
Español: https://www.propublica.org/article/barreras-falsas-estas-cosas-no-deberian-impedirle-vacunarse-contra-covid-19
7/ If you or someone you know has been denied a vaccine, get in touch with us through this form. You can also call or text 202-681-0779 in English or Spanish.
English: https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/are-you-participating-in-a-vaccine-trial-are-you-running-one-wed-like-to-hear-about-it
Español: https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/ayudenos-con-nuestros-reportajes-sobre-la-vacuna-contra-covid-19
English: https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/are-you-participating-in-a-vaccine-trial-are-you-running-one-wed-like-to-hear-about-it
Español: https://www.propublica.org/getinvolved/ayudenos-con-nuestros-reportajes-sobre-la-vacuna-contra-covid-19
