The state is opening the centers to get vaccines distributed easier and faster.
Governor Larry Hogan is taking action to get more Marylanders vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. Like many places around the country, the number of people trying to get a vaccine is greatly outnumbering the availability of appointments. On Tuesday, January 26, Governor Hogan announced the state would be opening six mass vaccination centers, starting with locations in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. The state will also be adding more pharmacies to the current network and calling up the National Guard to help build centers and distribute vaccines.
The announcement comes the same day as the Biden Administration said it is purchasing 200 million additional doses of vaccine and will begin delivering 17 percent more vaccine to states by next week.
The rollout of the coronavirus vaccine has been slow and muddled. To help expedite vaccinations across the state, the Maryland Department of Health will open six mass vaccination centers starting in early February. The first three sites will be located at M&T Bank Stadium, Six Flags America, and the Baltimore Convention Center. Three additional sites will be chosen for western and southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Maryland moved to Phase 1C of the vaccination schedule on January 25, making adults 65 to 74 years old, more essential workers, and postal employees eligible for vaccines. To date, more than 2 million residents are eligible for the vaccine, but the state is only receiving about 77,000 per day from the federal government. Governor Hogan urged everyone to be patient as state and federal partners ramp up supply.
“The truth is that this is not going to magically get better overnight,” said Governor Hogan. “The last 10 months have been really hard—this is much, much harder. So I ask all Marylanders to please be patient with the vaccination providers. They are all doing the best they can with very little resources. When is it your turn, be ready to get the vaccine.”
Beginning of February 1, the state will also allow immunocompromised people, including patients on chemotherapy to get the vaccine through hospital-based providers. Maryland is also adding Safeway and Rite Aid pharmacies to the network that already includes Giant, Walmart, and Martin’s. To find a vaccine site near you and schedule an appointment, go to covidvax.maryland.gov.
When you're eligible for the vaccine, which location is most convenient for you? Let us know in the comments.
