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Catalan Health Officials Face Charges Over Delayed Vaccination of Police During Pandemic

The Fiscalía seeks 12 years of inhabilitación for Alba Vergés and other officials for alleged discrimination against national police and civil guards in Catalonia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

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Declaración de la 'consellera' Alba Vergès en la Ciutat de la Justícia por los retrasos en la vacunación del covid de policías nacionales y guardias civiles.
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Overview

  • The Fiscalía has accused former Catalan Health Minister Alba Vergés, along with three other officials, of administrative prevarication for delaying COVID-19 vaccinations for national police and civil guards in 2021.
  • Prosecutors allege that the officials prioritized vaccinating individuals aged 60-65 over these groups, despite knowing the disparity left police forces unprotected against the virus.
  • At the time, vaccination rates for national police and civil guards in Catalonia were significantly lower—2.8% and 3.6% respectively—compared to over 77% for local police forces and firefighters.
  • The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña ruled in May 2021 that the delay constituted discrimination and ordered the immediate vaccination of over 4,800 affected officers.
  • Police unions Jupol and Jucil, who initiated the legal case, are also pushing for additional penalties, including prison sentences and extended inhabilitación for the accused officials.