Jabs probe

Investigations into whether some people who have received vaccinations against Covid-19 were justified are being carried out by the regional health department. Health councillor Ana Barceló said on Tuesday they had looked into 233 cases which did not seem to come within the approved risk groups. Of these, 171 cases were found to be justified but the remaining cases are being investigated in more detail to determine whether anyone should be held responsible. Among them are 10 public servants, whose cases ‘are considered in the general interest due to their special relevance and transcendence’.

These are Ximo Coll Moll, mayor of El Verger; Carolina Vives Bolufer, mayoress of Els Poblets; Cristina Morera, then social services and health councillor of Denia; Jose Luis Cuesta Merino, then chief prosecutor of Castellón; Luis Rubio, mayor of Villahermosa del Río; Francisco López, mayor of Rafelbunyol; Bernabé Cano, mayor of La Nucía and provincial deputy; José Galiano, health councillor for Orihuela; Juan Bautista Roselló, provincial deputy; and Àngel Ribés Bellés, mayor of Benlloc.

Then on Wednesday the health department revealed it was also investigating the bishop of Orihuela-Alicante. Bishop Jesús Murgui, aged 74, was given the first dose of the vaccination on January 8, along with priests living at the Casa Sacerdotal building in Alicante.

His vicar general, Vicente Martínez commented: “The bishop did not seek preferential health treatment, he only followed the established protocol.”