Governor Larry Hogan Press Conference: May 12, 2021
- No need for panic-buying gas re: the Colonial Pipeline Hacking
- Making GREAT progress on COVID-19
- As of today, MD has administered 5.3 million vaccines
- 86% of 65+ Marylanders are vaccinated
- 65.4% of 18+ Marylanders are vaccinated
- Keeping up the keep health metrics, we are on track to reach 70% of adults vaccinated by Memorial Day
- Equity Task Force has completed about 350 missions
- Walk up or drive thru vaccines available, it has never been easier to find or get a vaccine
- Case rate per 100,000 has dropped 64% over the past four weeks to 8.5%
- Lowest since September of 2020
- Positivity rate at 2.74% from a peak of 9.43% in January 2021 and a high of 26.83% last year
- COVID hospitalizations have dropped across the state
- Down 60% since last year’s winter peak
- New actions TODAY:
- Effective this Saturday, 5/15/2021, lifting all outdoor restrictions- entertainment, sports, etc
- All restrictions lifted on indoor and outdoor dining
- Cruise terminal reopening
- CDC working to prepare cruises to return to business
- ONLY REMAINING MANDATE: Indoor mask mandate
- Will lift as soon as we reach the federal goal of 70% of adults getting the first vaccine shot
- MD plan- everything normal by Memorial Day
- 4.6% away from reaching this goal!
- Effective this Saturday, 5/15/2021, lifting all outdoor restrictions- entertainment, sports, etc
- Directed MD Dept. of Labor to begin process of reinstating Work Search Requirements
- FASTEST way to get rid of COVID is by getting vaccinated! CALL 1-55-MD-GOVAX, COVIDVAX.MARYLAND.GOV
- FDA has approved Pfizer vaccine for children 12-15
- Final approval to come later today
- Eligibility for adolescents begins tomorrow, 5/13/2021
Dr. Jinlene Chan, Deputy Secretary, Public Health Services
Speaking about pediatric vaccination effort for kids 12+:
- FDA approved expansion this past Monday for Pfizer
- Approved for safety and efficacy
- 100% efficacy in 2,000 children in trial
- Also showed robust antibody responses, similar to teenagers and young adults
- Similar side effects to the one known now (usually resolve within 2-3 days)
- CDC’s advisory committee voted this afternoon to recommend Pfizer be approved to be used in kids 12-15 in age
- Once CDC issues final approval, take your children and get them vaccinated!
- 11 mass vax sites that can vaccinate kids
- Expanding locations in physician practices that are willing to vaccinate minors (ie pediatrician offices)
- Minors will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to be vaccinated
- We’ve done so well at vaccinating adults that now our attention shifts to children
- Have conversations with your children about getting vaccinated
