Philly Deputy Health Commissioner Quits Amid COVID Vaccine Issues

PHILADELPHIA — The acting deputy health commissioner for the city of Philadelphia has resigned after admitting to providing information to two groups seeking vaccination rollout contracts with the city that was not made available to all groups vying for contracts.

Dr. Caroline Johnson submitted her resignation over the weekend following a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The report included emails from Johnson to two groups — the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium and Philly Fighting COVID — regarding request for proposals on vaccination rollouts in the city.

In those emails, Johnson provided additional information to those groups that was not made available to other applicants for vaccination contracts.

City officials issued a statement announcing Johnson's resignation Saturday?

"Today we learned that Acting Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Caroline Johnson communicated about the vaccination RFP with at least two vendors - Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium," the statement reads.

According to the Inquirer, Johnson provided advice for 22-year-old Philly Fighting COVID CEO Andrei Doroshin suggesting starting his bid at $500,000. She sent a similar email to the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, the outlet reports.

"While these actions may have been intended to help advance the City's vaccine distribution effort, the Health Commissioner has accepted her resignation in the best interest of the city," the statement reads.

Farley called Johnson's resignation a loss for the city's public health efforts.

According to Farley, Johnson is an expert in infectious diseases and had combatted epidemics including H1N1 influenza in 2009. She led the department's vaccine team, as well.

The requests for proposals have since been canceled and the city will issue new requests.

The city's inspector general's office is investigating the emails send by Johnson.

Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley Monday said he has not been asked to resign following the controversy over Philly Fighting COVID and the request for proposal emails. However, he said he would resign should Mayor Jim Kenney ask him to.

"I feel I can still contribute to the response and serve at the pleasure of the mayor," Farley said Monday.

Kenney Monday said he is not asking Farley to resign despite state leaders calling for his resignation. Last week, State Sen. Anthony Williams, State Rep. Darisha K. Parker, and State Rep. Jason Dawkins called for his resignation.

Philly Fighting COVID vaccinated about 7,000 people with first doses before the city ended its relationship with the group. Farley Monday said the health department will be running a vaccination clinic Wednesday through Saturday this week as well as Tuesday through Saturday next week to administers second doses to those who got the first doses through Philly Fighting COVID.

Farley said about as many people have received the vaccine as have been infected with the coronavirus in Philadelphia, which is around 100,000 people.