Philadelphia probes vaccination site awarded to student, 22

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — City officials in Philadelphia promised Monday to improve the vetting of groups hired to administer COVID-19 vaccinations after it closed a convention center site run by a graduate student. At least two investigations are under way into how the city health department gave the no-contract work to a Drexel University student with little public health experience. City Council plans a hearing Friday. Council President Darrell Clarke wants to require the city to sign written contracts with vaccine partners given what he called the embarrassment and mistrust that ensued. The city’s Office of Inspector General is meanwhile examining whether a health department official gave the group insider budget information.