CDPHE release documents showing insight into Moma clinic investigation
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Health and Environment released an email correspondence with Sylvienash Moma, the owner of a clinic under fire for wasting more than 7,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.
The documents released include a letter from CDPHE sent to Moma on April 9 following an inspection. The letter states:
"Based upon information obtained by EPCPH staff while conducting onsite visit to the vaccination clinic you held today at the Satellite Hotel at 411 Lakewood Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80910 in El Paso county, we have significant concerns pertaining to the storage and handling of COVID-19 vaccine, documentation, of vaccine administration, and appropriate observation of individuals receiving vaccine."
The letter goes on to say El Paso County Public Health staff saw unmasked individuals seated at a table with piles of pre-drawn syringes from multiple vaccine manufacturers.
Additionally, the letter says Moma claimed a staff member was enforcing social distancing in the parking lot. However, ECPH staff said they could neither find nor contact the person tasked with that job.
The letter concludes by saying Moma's participation in the Colorado COVID-19 Vaccination Program was "immediately suspended", and that she and her staff were no longer authorized to order, receive from another clinic, or administer COVID-19 vaccines.
#13INVESTIGATES: Here's the letter @CDPHE sent the owner of Dr. Moma after @EPCPublicHealth inspected the now suspended vaccine clinic. Thousands of Coloradans have been told to get revaccinated after getting doses at Dr. Moma's. @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/V3EQPZnxL3
— Chelsea Brentzel KRDO (@ChelseaBrentzel) April 21, 2021
However, before the inspection and the letter, Moma emailed a member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Planning, saying the clinic was struggling to keep up with appointments.
Starting on Friday, April 2, Moma asks the state for guidance on how to handle vaccine shortages.
In one email, Moma apologizes for "not getting well informed before opening the schedule for vaccines appointments."
CDPHE also released a summary of the EPC Public Health visit from an employee who inspected the facility after receiving numerous emails and phone calls concerning the way the clinic was handling vaccines.
13 Investigates was previously sent that document on Friday, April 16. It went into detail on the state of the clinic before the state stepped in.
