On Jan. 13, a mother and daughter seeking a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic hosted by Hidalgo County and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD were questioned for proof of their medical conditions. One was turned away and another accepted — an example of the confusion caused by a vaccine providers’ task to ensure tier compliance while vaccinating as many as possible.
People between the ages of 18 and 65 requesting the COVID-19 vaccine are often asked by vaccine providers, including those in Hidalgo County, to provide proof of their medical condition even though state guidelines do not require it.
Medical conditions are based on a list the state provides the county, but an expanded list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes additional conditions not shared in the news releases for the PSJA ISD vaccination clinic.
Mickie Renteria, 44, went with her daughter and her boyfriend, both 20, to the clinic on Jan. 13 to get the vaccine for the daughter who has asthma. When they were inside the cafeteria, “a PSJA employee came up to me and she asked me if I had proof of the underlying condition, that she needed to see it,” Renteria said. They didn’t have it.
The employee advised them that the proof might be requested when they get to the vaccination area. As they were lined up to get the vaccine, Renteria said four other employees asked to see medical proof and asked them to disclose their chronic condition even though a crowd of other vaccine solicitors were within earshot.
Renteria said the daughter had asthma and didn’t have proof, but “I told them I had the pump (inhaler) in the car.” The employees told the mother only her daughter could get the vaccine if they took a picture and showed it as proof.
As the mother walked to the car, she got a text message from her daughter saying, “Mom, the county worker said I didn’t need any proof. So, don’t text me anything. I don’t need it. So, it was just the PSJA employees giving us a hard time.”
Both, the county and school district, commented they are complying with state guidance.
“PSJA ISD personnel follow the guidance and assistance of the County Medical experts in ensuring all proper state protocols are followed, as well as qualifications coming from the state,” Arianna Vazquez-Hernandez, director of communications, marketing and public information, said in a statement shared Monday.
She added in the statement that the district adopts county policy at these partnered clinics. The policy shared in the statement reads: “Anyone 18 and over, not including 65 years and over or healthcare workers, wanting to receive the vaccine will need to show up with medications, prescriptions, or doctor’s note for proof of conditions outlined above.”
The email from the county’s office and the school announcing the clinic advised taking proof of medical condition like a current medication’s prescription from a doctor or a clearance letter from their physician.
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not require providers obtain proof of a medical condition prior to the vaccination.
“To confirm chronic medical conditions, providers should refer to the person’s medical history. If a provider doesn’t have access to the person’s medical history, the person can self-disclose their qualifying medical condition. They do not need to provide documents to prove that they qualify,” a Texas DSHS tipsheet for providers reads.
Renteria said she was concerned the form she filled out while she was in line at the clinic would be accidentally entered into the database reporting she received the vaccine. She went back to retrieve the paperwork.
While she was in line, Renteria said she heard a police officer read a list of qualifying conditions to receive the vaccine, including high cholesterol. She stayed in line and called her doctor’s office to try to get proof of her condition. As she progressed in the queue she encountered a county employee, Cynthia Gutierrez, who also serves as a PSJA ISD board member.
According to Renteria, Gutierrez said, “You do not have high cholesterol. I can tell by looking at you.” Then she proceeded to escort Renteria out of the clinic.
Gutierrez was contacted to offer her version of events, but she responded she would have to check with the county’s public information officer before commenting. The county’s public information officer said they do not discuss personnel matters.
Vaccination training is provided, according to a statement from the school district.
“This joint effort includes trained volunteers from both Hidalgo County and PSJA ISD to assist thousands of community members during these efforts,” Vazquez-Hernandez said.
The county and school district look to a list shared by the state naming the medical conditions considered to make people more vulnerable to the virus, but it offers a disclaimer at the top of the list that reads, “but not limited to.”
Another list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expands on those conditions.
The list included in the county and school district’s announcement does not include asthma, Renteria’s daughter’s condition. The CDC list does include it under the “might be at an increased risk” category.
Renteria was correctly advised her condition, high cholesterol, was not a qualifying medical condition, but a refusal to provide proof of a medical condition is not grounds for denial.
“They do not need to provide documents to prove that they qualify. We do not want to create barriers that would prevent people from getting vaccinated,” Douglas Loveday, Texas DSHS press officer, said.
People who believe their provider is not in compliance with state guidelines can email their concerns to [email protected] or call 2-1-1.
“We want to know so that we can reach out to the provider and reiterate or re-explain to them what the state guidelines are for providers,” Loveday said.
