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What there is to know
- The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said it has ended its partnership with Philly Fighting COVID, an organization that oversees the city’s largest coronavirus vaccination site, after learning the group has gone for-profit and has changed its data policy to allow possible user sales. information.
- Philadelphia health officials announced a “unique public / private partnership” with Philly Fighting COVID on January 8 and urged Philadelphians to “begin the vaccine registration process” by registering on the website of Philly Fighting COVID.
- On Monday evening, however, the Department of Public Health announced that it had learned that PFC had updated its data privacy policy after “a change in its status as a company … from non-profit to profit. “which could allow the organization to sell data through its pre-registration site.
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said it has ended its partnership with Philly Fighting COVID, an organization that oversees the city’s largest coronavirus vaccination site, after learning the group has gone for-profit and has changed its data policy to allow possible user sales. information.
Philadelphia health officials announced a “unique public / private partnership” with Philly Fighting COVID on January 8 and urged Philadelphians to “begin the vaccine registration process” by registering on the website of Philly Fighting COVID.
On Monday evening, however, the Department of Public Health announced that it had learned that PFC had updated its data privacy policy after “a change in its status as a company … from not-for-profit to for-profit. . ”
The updated policy could allow the organization to sell data through its pre-registration site, the city said.
“The City has not been informed of any sale of this data. But the fact that PFC made these changes without discussion with the city is extremely disturbing, ”a spokesperson for the health department wrote. “Due to these concerns and the unexpected termination of testing operations by PFC, the Department of Health has decided to stop providing vaccines to PFC.”
Earlier, WHYY reported that Philly Fighting COVID has suspended promised community testing to focus on vaccines, leaving some neighborhoods stranded.
Knowing where and with whom to register for a vaccine has been confusing in Pennsylvania, where counties run their own programs and other providers, including health systems, also offer vaccines to certain high-risk groups.
Last week, the city unveiled its own new website that allows people to sign up to be notified when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.
Earlier in the week, Health Commissioner Dr Thomas Farley said the city was receiving information on those vaccinated through Philly Fighting COVID (PFC), but added it was not receiving further information beyond that. The health department later said they were working with PFC with the Black Doctor and Acme’s COVID-19 consortium “to ensure that the information these groups have collected will be added to the city’s database. “
The health department said it is currently working to shift future vaccine allocations to other providers. They are also planning new clinics to ensure that those vaccinated at the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s PFC clinics can receive their second dose. The Ministry will be in contact with all these people to fix the appointments.
If you’re not sure where to register for the coronavirus vaccine, check out our guide on when and where to get the vaccine.
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