Governor Hogan Press Conference – April 1, 2021
“We likely will be able to make announcements in the days ahead regarding further acceleration of vaccine eligibility phases.” – Governor Larry Hogan
- Close to 3 million vaccines have been administered in Maryland.
- 75% of Marylanders age 65 and older – the most vulnerable category – have been vaccinated.
- On Tuesday, Maryland entered Phase 2B, with ages 16+ with underlying medical conditions or disabilities now eligible to receive the vaccine. 90% of those hospitalized have had an underlying condition, so this goes a long way in protecting the most vulnerable.
- 140,000 vaccines administered in just the past 48 hours, averaging more than 57,000 shots a day.
- Increasingly concerned about highly transmissible variants spreading throughout the country and moving down the East Coast. 677 cases of variants discovered in Maryland thus far. Variants are driving increase in infections and hospitalizations.
- Urging the continued use of safe practices because we’re not out of the woods yet. The state masking order remains in full force and effect; mask wearing is the single best mitigation strategy.
- Continuing to advise against travel to states with high positivity rates, and advising residents to get tested upon return.
- Focused on prioritizing vaccines for most vulnerable and in hardest to reach areas of the state.
- First federal mobile vaccination units in the nation arrived at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency HQ in Reisterstown this week. They will be fanning out among the state to zip codes that rank high on CDC social vulnerability index, building upon efforts from the MD Vaccine equity task force, which has supplemental clinics added every day.
- As promised, Maryland has received an increased supply of vaccines from the Federal Government and the White House has pledged that in the weeks ahead we’ll see a similar supply.
- Effective Today: Pre-registration now available for ALL Marylanders age 16+ at a mass vaccination site as part of Phase 3. Hogan expects to make announcements in the days ahead regarding further acceleration of vaccine eligibility phases.
- 300,000 have pre-registered to-date; to pre-register visit covidvax.maryland.gov, or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX. Phase 1 and Phase 2 will continue to be prioritized.
- 3,000 points of vaccine distribution sites across the states, including 320 pharmacies, 100+ doctors offices, 38 hospitals, and 12 mass vaccination sites, all open and functional in the next few sites.
- New mass vaccination sites:
- This week: Mass vaccination site in Montgomery County, which will transition to a higher volume state-run site
- April 7 : Prince George’s County opening site at the Greenbelt Metro in partnership with FEMA to serve 3,000 a day
- Also next week: Timonium Fairgrounds in Baltimore County
- Week of April 12: Frederick Community College and Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Anne Arundel County
- Week of April 19: Ripken Stadium in Harford County
- Week of April 26: Mall in Columbia in Howard County
- Beginning tomorrow, the Eastern Shore mass vaccination site in Salisbury will be opening a walk-up line with no appointment necessary; plan is to add more no appointment lines at other sites.
- Best way to obtain a vaccine is still to pre-register and get an appointment.
- Directing Maryland Department of Health and Department of Aging to hold closed-pod vaccination clinics to assure the return of safe indoor activities at senior centers.
