Montgomery County officials have asked residents not to share the links to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments on social media due to potential misuse, writes Carl Hessler Jr. for The Pottstown Mercury.

After somebody posts a link on social media, others can use it to make an appointment for themselves if they are quick enough.

“People are taking these links and posting them on social media and this creates the opportunity for people to jump the line and for people who are not eligible to register,” said County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh. “This is not ethical or moral and it needs to stop.”

To help curb this behavior, officials said that people who are not within the groups eligible to be vaccinated will be turned away at the vaccination site.

“If you receive an appointment link, that link is only meant for you, based on your eligibility and whether it is your first or second dose,” Arkoosh said.

Due to the scarcity of the vaccine, it is necessary to respect the rules and ensure that the most vulnerable populations get vaccinated first.

Read more about the issue at The Pottstown Mercury by clicking here.