Philadelphia’s problematic COVID-19 vaccine rollout raises larger questions
Updated Jan 29, 2021;
Story by Maryclaire Dale, Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) When Philadelphia began getting its first batches of COVID-19 vaccines, it looked to partner with someone who could get a mass vaccination site up and running quickly.
City Hall officials might have looked across the skyline to the world-renowned health providers at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University or Jefferson Health.
Instead, they chose a 22-year-old graduate student in psychology with a few faltering startups on his resume. And last week, amid concerns about his qualifications and Philly Fighting COVID’s for-profit status, the city shuttered his operation at the downtown convention center.
Instead, they chose a 22-year-old graduate student in psychology with a few faltering startups on his résumé. And last week, amid concerns about his qualifications and Philly Fighting Covid’s for-profit status, the city shuttered his operation at the downtown convention center.
“Where were all the people with credentials? Why did a kid have to come in and help the city?” said the student, Andrei Doroshin, in an interview with the Associated Press.
“I’m a freaking grad student. But you know what? We did the job. We vaccinated 7,000 people,” the Drexel University student said. “This was us doing our part in this crazy time.”
Maryclaire Dale
Andrei Doroshin, 22, poses for a portrait, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Washington. Philadelphia officials have shut down a COVID-19 vaccine clinic after concerns grew about Dorshin, the 22-year-old graduate student running the effort. Drexel University psychology student Andrei Doroshin said he pitched a plan to the city to run the online registry and operate the clinic when he saw no one else doing it. Mayor Jim Kenney said he was concerned by reports they could try to sell patient data and profit from the operation. ( Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) January 29, 2021 - 11:05 AM
PHILADELPHIA - When Philadelphia began getting its first batches of COVID-19 vaccines, it looked to partner with someone who could get a mass vaccination site up and running quickly.
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After receiving the vaccination, patients wait under observation at the community vaccine clinic at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Philadelphia City Council wants to hold hearings over the city’s relationship with former vaccine distributor Philly Fighting COVID, amid local and national uproar. Many councilmembers alleged racist motivations behind the city’s choice to work with PFC, whose leadership team is largely white.
Councilmember Cindy Bass, who introduced the resolution calling for hearings on Thursday, called the city’s failure to vet the 9-month-old startup before handing over vaccine supply “absolutely unacceptable.”
The scandals revealed this week, Bass argued, just widen the chasm of distrust between residents and the city when it comes to responding to the pandemic.
Doroshin said he stands by his decision. I understand I made that mistake. That is my mistake to carry for the rest of my life. But it is not the mistake of the organization, Doroshin said.
Doroshin also claims he had no inside connection to City Hall and that his company first started with COVID testing and before trust was built with health officials. Because we re such nerds we figured all the software stuff out before anyone else did. The Trump administration really screwed it up because they never developed any software for this, said Doroshin.
Lynn Newbould, of Newtown, Bucks County, wonders if one of those vaccine doses could have been administered to her 68-year-old husband Bill.