The Edmonton Police Service has confirmed it has opened an investigation into reports that vulnerable Edmontonians were being paid to get the COVID-19 vaccine so that unvaccinated people could have a QR code.
An emergency room nurse in Edmonton told Global News they have had at least six patients come in who have said they were paid to get multiple vaccinations.
Global News has agreed not to identify the nurse, who fears they could lose their job for speaking out.
The nurse said they had one patient who received seven COVID-19 vaccinations in just one day.
“Anger, disappointment. Shock initially, the first time,” the nurse described how they felt hearing about the payments from a patient.
The belief is that those who are paying are doing so to receive proof of vaccination which will allow them to travel, eat in restaurants and more.
“It really feels like they have deemed the vaccine unsafe but they’re willing to victimize these people because they’re worth less to them.”
That frontline worker was told by a patient that those buying vaccine proof are paying $2,000 to a third party and the vulnerable people getting the shot are being paid $100 of that.
A spokesperson for Edmonton police said Alberta Health Services contacted them in regards to a complaint. Officers then launched an investigation, which is still in the preliminary stages.
The nurse pointed out this would also affect people who are favouring facilities that require vaccination proof.
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“If you go out in the community expecting to be around vaccinated people, you may not be. So you are also at risk.”
Emergency room staff only ask about vaccination status from those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Because of that, this nurse believes there could be far more people who have been paid to get vaccinated multiple times and who have come in to hospital but have not exhibited symptoms.
“It’s honestly awful,” said Lauren Reid, Hope Mission’s community liaison. “It’s very shocking, to be honest, that this is something that people would do.
“It’s obviously very dangerous for the people that we serve, for anyone who is doing these multiple vaccinations, it’s not safe in that short period of time. It just makes us really sad that this is happening.”
Reid said Hope Mission hasn’t heard from clients who have experienced this personally.
“But we’re really glad EPS is looking into it and that an awareness has been brought to this because it’s obviously not OK for this to be happening.
“It’s exploitation of people’s vulnerable circumstances and situations.”
Hope Mission is hopeful police will be able to put a stop to this so vulnerable Edmontonians aren’t preyed upon.
“We are talking with Alberta Health, talking with our community health nurses, and figuring out how best to move forward to ensure the safety of our clients.”
The nurse said they are glad police are investigating, but would like to see the people paying for fake proof to be held accountable.
They said they would also like to see other changes.
“A start would be every other province requires a photo on your health care card. So while that wouldn’t fix everything, that might help some of it.”
In a statement, AHS confirmed it was aware of the situation.
“Recently AHS staff have heard stories from the public about situations where individuals are being offered money to receive a COVID-19 vaccination using a false identity,” said a spokesperson.
The statement went on to discourage the practice.
“While COVID vaccines are safe and serious adverse reactions are rare, it is not advisable to have more doses than recommended. In particular if doses are given too close together it increases the risk of having a reaction.”
Because the situation is being investigated by police, the spokesperson said they could not comment further.
— with files from Emily Mertz, Global News