COVID-19 Vaccine Access Expands In Maryland To Include 65-Plus
MARYLAND — More than 2 million Marylanders are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to state health officials. As the number of those qualifying for the vaccine increases, however, availability of vaccinations has not kept up.
The state is receiving about 10,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine a day from the federal government, which is not meeting demand, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
Nearly 5.5 percent of the population in Maryland has received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, the state health department reported Monday.
Gov. Larry Hogan will give an update at 2 p.m. Tuesday on the state's plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Maryland entered phase 1C of its vaccine distribution plan Monday, Jan. 25, meaning the following people are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine:
Residents 65 and older
Workers in food and agriculture production
Critical manufacturing personnel
Public mass transit workers
Grocery store workers
Veterinary occupations
U.S. Postal Service workers
Clergy and clergy support staff
Public safety personnel and health care workers who were not eligible in earlier phases
Based on state guidance, Marylanders age 65 and up must receive priority over all other groups. People who qualify for phase 1C based on their occupation should check with their employers about plans for vaccination, the Maryland Department of Health advises.
“By opening Phase 1C, we are making vaccines available to more of the state’s most at-risk populations," Acting Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in a statement Monday.
Marylanders in phases 1A and 1B remain eligible, officials said, including health care workers; teachers and school support staff; and residents and staff of congregate facilities. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities also qualify, and those living in group homes and other congregate facilities will be prioritized, state health officials said.
More than 42,000 people have gotten the second dose; that means almost 0.7 percent of Marylanders received the second dose of the vaccine, as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines both require a booster shot.
Two Jurisdictions Not In Phase 1C Yet
Two counties have not yet entered phase 1C. Both are still scheduling vaccinations for those in the previous phases.
"Currently, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health is NOT in Phase 1C," the Anne Arundel County Department of Health posted on its website Monday. "The department is providing vaccine appointments ONLY to the Phase 1A group and Phase 1B county residents who are age 75+."
Frederick County is currently vaccinating 1A and people 75 years and older who live or work in Frederick County.
Around the state, authorities say vaccines may not be accessible to many in phase 1C for several weeks because the vaccine is in limited supply.
The Maryland Department of Health has created a COVID-19 vaccination locator tool that is designed to search for vaccines by ZIP code: covidvax.maryland.gov.
Retailers Join State-Run Clinics
To ensure the state uses all its vaccines, clinics are opening at certain Walmart and Giant pharmacy stores. These additional sites will enable the health department to reduce bottlenecks and effectively distribute the vaccine when availability increases.
Additional pharmacy operators are anticipated to follow suit in the weeks ahead, state health officials said.
“We are building a robust, scalable network of distribution points across the state,” Schrader said.
“The state’s vaccination program is driven by one goal: getting shots in arms," Schrader said. "We are using every outlet available to us to accomplish this goal. When the national supply chain opens up, we will be ready.”
See Also:
Baltimore City Public Schools Staff Get Vaccines From Johns Hopkins
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled For Harford County Public Schools Staff
COVID-19 Vaccine To Be Administered At Howard Community College
Here is the latest coronavirus data in Maryland as of Monday, Jan. 25:
This article originally appeared on the Bel Air Patch
