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.