An investigation is underway into reports that an Orange County-based health care provider may have “fraudulently obtained” the COVID-19 vaccine and given it to members of the public without following New York's vaccine prioritization guidelines.

A statement released Saturday by state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker says ParCare Community Health Network “may have fraudulently obtained [the] COVID-19 vaccine, transferred it to facilities in other parts of the state in violation of state guidelines and diverted it to members of the public.”

It goes on to say that this would be “contrary to the state's plan to administer it first to front-line healthcare workers, as well as nursing home residents and staffers.”

“We take this very seriously and DOH will be assisting state police in a criminal investigation into this matter. Anyone found to have knowingly participated in this scheme will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," Zucker said.

On Dec. 16, ParCare Health and Medical Center posted on Facebook that they were authorized to distribute the vaccine for people who fall under certain criteria. They also say they received thousands of doses of the Moderna vaccine on the morning of Dec. 21.

News 12 reached out to ParCare and is waiting to hear back. Parcare lists four locations in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan and one in Monroe, Orange County on its website.