The department’s communications director, James Garrow, says Johnson gave inappropriate information to both Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium about the city’s request for proposals to run its vaccination implementation.
The city chose Philly Fighting COVID, but ended the partnership after the start changed its corporate status from non-profit to non-profit without the knowledge of the city.
Johnson’s actions have been referred to the city’s inspector general.
The city issued a statement saying in part:
Today we learned that the Acting Deputy Health Commissioner, Dr. Caroline Johnson, communicated about vaccination RFP with at least two providers: Philly Fighting COVID and the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium. These communications were made after the publication of the RFP. However, these actions were inappropriate because the shared information was not available to all potential applicants. When this information was presented to her, Dr. Johnson submitted her resignation. 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. Commissioner Farley has also referred the matter to the Inspector General of the City of Philadelphia. The Department of Health remains committed to responding to the pandemic and distributing vaccines as quickly and safely as possible, according to the mayor’s instructions.
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