Milwaukee Health Department says software glitch allowed people who aren't eligible to sign up for vaccine

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Health Department says an error in the vaccination signup process allowed people to sign up for the vaccine, even if they weren't eligible to get it. 

Jeff Fleming, a spokesperson for the Milwaukee Health Department, says late Thursday, Feb. 18, people within city government called attention to the error. 

"The mistake allowed any person to schedule a vaccination appointment by simply claiming to be a “city employee” – irrespective of whether a person was in a currently eligible group to receive a vaccination. The original intent of the city employee designation was to provide city workers in Group 1b straightforward access when it was appropriate for them to be vaccinated," Fleming said in a statement. 

He said the technical team was contacted promptly to close the gap in the registration process. 

"The Milwaukee Health Department is reviewing the scheduled appointments, and as erroneous appointments are identified, they are being removed," Fleming said. 

The health department does not know how many people "exploited the signup software glitch."

“There are many talented, hardworking, and well-intentioned people working with the health department to address the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a multifaceted effort, and on rare occasions, mistakes occur. This is one of those situations. We are fixing problems if they occur," said Fleming.