The department’s director of communications, James Garrow, said Johnson gave inadequate information to both the Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium about the city’s request for proposals to carry out the vaccination.
The city chose Philly Fighting COVID, but ended the partnership after the company changed its corporate status from non-profit to non-profit without knowledge of the city.
Johnson’s actions were referred to the city’s inspector general.
The city released a statement that says in part:
Today we learned that the acting Deputy Commissioner for Health, Dr. Caroline Johnson, communicated about the vaccination RFP with at least two suppliers – Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium. These communications were made after the RFP was posted publicly. However, these actions were inadequate because the information shared was not available to all potential candidates. Upon receiving this information, Dr. Johnson presented her resignation. Although these actions may aim to help promote the city’s vaccine distribution effort, the health commissioner accepted her resignation in the city’s best interest. Commissioner Farley also referred this matter to the City Inspector General of Philadelphia. The Department of Health remains committed to responding to the pandemic and delivering vaccines as quickly and safely as possible, as directed by the mayor.
Copyright © 2021 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.