Philadelphia Launches Reorganized Vaccine Clinic At Pennsylvania Convention Center, Replacing Philly Fighting COVID Site
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia health officials launched a mass vaccination clinic on Wednesday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It replaces the clinic formerly run by the now-disgraced group Philly Fighting COVID.
This was a big day for so many wanting their final coronavirus vaccine. When the city initially cut ties with Philly Fighting COVID, thousands of people who received a first dose did not know when they would get their second doses. However, that changes with today's opening of this clinic.
"It means a lot for me to get the second dose," said Northeast Philadelphia resident Zelice Williams.
A line of people eagerly waited outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center to get their second dose of the COVID vaccine.
"It kinda opens up things for me. I have two new grandchildren and I'm looking forward to being able to see them," Williams said.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley toured the just-reopened site.
"Today, this is a great start," Farley said.
Philly Fighting COVID ran a COVID vaccine clinic at the same location until the city ended its relationship with it last week. Now, the city's health department is running its own vaccine clinic.
"We're glad to be able to provide this vaccine to people," Farley said.
City officials say it cut ties with Philly Fighting COVID because the group changed its terms of service that would have allowed it to sell patients' data.
During a news conference Friday, the group's CEO, Andrei Doroshin, made no apologies.
"No, I would change nothing," Doroshin said.
At the time the clinic was suspended, some patients had received just one dose of the COVID vaccine. Now, about 2,500 people are expected to get their second and final doses at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this week.
"We just want to make sure that everybody has access to it," Kenney said.
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