Maryland Governor Larry Hogan released the locations of the first mass vaccination sites as the state plans to start ramping up the administering of the vast remainder of the "12 million vaccines" needed for everyone in the state.
Starting February 5, Six Flags America in PG County and the Baltimore Convention Center in downtown Baltimore City will serve as mass vaccination centers. The state is working to finalize mass vaccination sites on the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, and Southern Maryland. Hogan says they hope to use M&T Bank Stadium at some point as well.
Starting February 1, the state will expand "Phase 1" eligibility for the vaccine for "some severely immunocompromised residents, such as those receiving chemotherapy and those with certain immune disorders who require frequent medical care."
Hogan says there are currently 100 providers of the vaccine and to visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find the nearest provider.
Despite the plans to expand the pool of residents eligible for the vaccine, Hogan says there are still hurdles in the way. Over 95% of all doses given to the state have been deployed, and Hogan says the demand will continue to far exceed the available supplies.
"As frustrating as this is to every single one of us, this will obviously be a much longer process than any of us would like, and it's going to require a great deal of patience for many months," Hogan said.
Source: WBAL