When will Marylanders get their vaccine?
What to know about the state’s updated rollout plans
Gov. Larry Hogan held a news conference Tuesday updating Marylanders about the coronavirus vaccine rollout and when individuals might get their shots.
Statewide implementation has been slower than expected, raising alarms among local leaders.
“While none of us are thrilled with the pace of this rollout over the first couple of weeks, I can assure you that it is improving every day,” Hogan said at the State House in Annapolis.
The Republican governor also provided updated vaccination guidelines and outlined when many Marylanders might expect to receive the vaccine.
Here’s what you need to know:
Are we still in Phase 1 of the vaccine rollout?
Yes.
Phase 1A covers health care workers, nursing home residents and staff, first responders, and public safety and corrections officers.
By the end of January, Maryland should move into Phase 1B, which will allow people 75 and older to get vaccinated along with high-risk inmates, teachers, people living in special needs group homes, and people involved in “continuity of government.”
The last part of Phase 1 will let people 65-74 get vaccinated along with essential workers in lab services, agriculture, manufacturing and the postal service. Hogan said that might come in early March.
When will I get vaccinated if I don’t fall into those categories in Phase 1?
It’s unclear.
Phase 2 will include people 16-64 with increased health risks, prisoners and essential workers in fields such as utilities and transportation, but there is no timeline for when the state might begin the phase.
Hogan said about 30% of the state will be vaccinated by May, but younger and healthier people will likely wait until the summer or after.
How much of the vaccine has already been distributed?
Hogan said 270,150 doses of vaccines have been distributed “directly into the hands of front-line vaccinators” in Maryland.
As of Tuesday morning, nearly 77,000 people had received their first of two shots — an increase of more than 11,000 from the day before, but reaching still only 1.27% of the state’s population.
Data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about 26.5% of the doses sent to Maryland have been used. Nationally, about 28% of doses have been administered, according to the CDC.
At one point last week, Maryland ranked at the bottom of states in a Bloomberg survey of the rollout.
Five counties — Howard, Montgomery, St. Mary’s, Calvert and Caroline — have distributed 80% of their vaccine allocations, Hogan said. Prince George’s County and Baltimore City “are very far behind,” he said.
Why have so few people been vaccinated?
Hogan said there is a lag in reporting data on the use of available doses has have given an inaccurate picture of the state’s status and made it hard to identify problem areas.
Hogan issued an executive order requiring vaccine providers to report each person’s injection on a state registry, ImmuNet, within 24 hours.
Does Gov. Hogan have a plan to speed up the vaccination process?
Hogan issued an executive order requiring all vaccine providers to report data on the state’s site, ImmuNet, within 24 hours.
Also, he said hospitals that haven’t used 75% of their vaccine allocations may get fewer doses in the future unless they can prove they can distribute them efficiently.
“Either use the doses that have been allocated, or they will be allocated to another provider,” he said.
In addition, Maryland National Guard members will be activated to help county health departments with vaccination administration.
Hogan said he pressed the leaders of the pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens, which are handling nursing home vaccinations in Maryland as part of a contract with the federal government, about the pace of their vaccinations and reporting.
The governor said he had “productive” conversations Tuesday with CVS CEO Larry Merlo and Walgreens President John Standley. Hogan also said he contacted U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Tuesday “to express our serious concerns about the pace of the federal nursing home/pharmacy program.”
How will I know when it’s my turn?
Marylanders can sign up for 211 text alerts. To opt in to receive these alerts, text ‘MdReady’ to 898-211. People can also visit the state’s coronavirus site to review more information.
Baltimore Sun reporters Pamela Wood and Bryn Stole contributed to this article.