News

The City of Memphis abruptly took over major COVID-19 vaccination duties this week after the state found internal breakdowns in communication and procedures at the Shelby County Health Department resulted in the ruin of thousands of doses. 

Mayor Jim Strickland says the city has moved with breakneck speed to get a planned 40,000 shots in arms by week’s end, including thousands dedicated for the first time for teachers.  

On Wednesday, Shelby County Health Department director Dr. Alisa Haushalter offered additional explanation for the recent loss of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines in their care, which led the state to—at least temporarily—strip the local agency of its vaccine distribution responsibilities. 

Marc Perrusquia is no stranger to lawsuits over access to public records. Back when he was an investigative reporter for the Commercial Appeal, the paper’s lawyers filed a number of suits on his behalf to acquire government documents.

But the University of Memphis’ Institute for Public Service Reporting, where Perrusquia is director, is not a big-budget news organization.