Vaccine shots have been given to board members at Lifespan and trustees at Care New England even as older adults have to wait weeks or months for their turn in Rhode Island.

The Providence Journal reports that the companies, the state’s largest and second-largest hospital groups, have expanded eligibility to everyone who works there, no matter their age or risk or exposure.

A State Department of Health spokesperson says it’s reasonable for  hospitals to provide vaccine to all who are “critical to the functioning of the hospital.”