Philadelphia Delegation members call for resignation of city health department commissioner

HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – Members of the Philadelphia House Democratic Delegation have called for the resignation of Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley after the alleged problems with the city’s contracted vaccine organizer Philly Fighting COVID, according to the delegation’s chairman, state Rep. Jason Dawkins, D-Phila.

“While in the crisis of our lifetime, the ball was dropped and left Philadelphians at risk, both for their personal information and their personal safety,” Dawkins said. “Dr. Farley has worked hard for Philadelphia, but in a moment when people’s lives are in jeopardy and when the world is watching, we cannot have such horrible decisions putting the lives and health of our citizens so at risk. The loss of the public’s trust requires that we have a change at the department. Things need to change to ensure everyone has a sense of security moving forward.”

“The missteps and missed opportunities that we have seen from Philadelphia’s health department have been many,” said state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., “and in the middle of the deadliest health crisis in global history we can’t afford anymore. Commissioner Farley worked incredibly hard on testing but has unfortunately not met the moment in regard to quickly getting out the vaccine in an equitable way. And the Philly Fighting COVID debacle has become a national stain on the city. I don’t say this lightly, but Dr. Farley must resign, and we must immediately find a leader up to the task – failure is not an option.“

Other members of the delegation joining in this request:

Rep. Donna Bullock, 195th Legislative District and PA Legislative Black Caucus Chairwoman.

Rep. Danilo Burgos, 197th Legislative District.

Rep. Morgan Cephas, 192nd Legislative District.

Rep. Darisha Parker, 198th Legislative District.

Rep. Regina Young, 185th Legislative District.