James Garrow, the department’s communications director, said Johnson had improperly provided information to both Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium about the city’s request for proposals to start the vaccination.
The city finally chose Philly Fighting COVID.
However, the city terminated the partnership after the company changed its non-profit, non-profit corporate status.
Johnson’s actions were referred to the city’s inspector general.
The city issued a statement on Saturday night stating:
Today we have heard that Acting Deputy Health Commissioner, dr. Caroline Johnson, about at least two vendors communicated about the vaccine RFP – Philly Fighting Covid and the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium.
This announcement was made after the RFP was made public. However, these actions were inappropriate because the information shared was not available to all potential applicants.
When Johnson received this information, he offered her resignation. Although these actions were possibly intended to promote the City’s distribution of vaccines, the Health Commissioner accepted her resignation in the best interests of the city.
Commissioner Farley also referred this matter to the Inspector General of the City of Philadelphia. The Department of Health is still committed to responding to the pandemic and distributing the vaccine as quickly and safely as possible, as prescribed by the mayor.
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