By Madison Haller
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said today that his administration will make a bigger push to get vaccines to vulnerable residents who face added challenges getting the shot.
The plan includes the expansion on the Mobile Integrated Community Health (MICH) unit – which brings vaccines directly to people rather than having them make the trip to a pharmacy or other vaccination site – and $1 million in grants for local organizations that will remove barriers to vaccine access.
The expansion of the MICH unit aims to get the vaccine to communities with access challenges or lower vaccine, Ball said.
“After nearly a year with COVID-19 in our community, we have seen how starkly this virus has exacerbated the cracks and ruptures already present in Howard County,” Ball said during a press conference at John Baptist Church in Columbia, where he received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
He added: “Now with expanded eligibility and increasing supply, we must do the hard work of ensuring that communities of color, our more vulnerable residents, neighbors with limited English proficiency, residents of all abilities, and people who have limited access to online registration can get their vaccine.”
So far, the MICH unit has vaccinated more than 655 people in Howard County, whether it be in their homes, clinics or vehicles.
The $1 million grant for local organizations will be provided by the Howard County Health Department, Ball said. He said it will be used to build community partnerships and educate the community about the vaccine.
“To date, 20.9% of Howard County residents have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 11.4% of residents are fully vaccinated,” Ball said on his twitter page.
With three safe and effective vaccines available for distribution, there is hope that more Howard County residents will be vaccinated at health department sites and the various sites within the community, county Health Officer Maura Rossman said during the press conference.
“There are more than 220 provider locations, including regional State-run mass vax clinics, retail pharmacies and hospital operating clinics,” Ball said on his twitter page.
Ball received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at St. John Baptist Church to set an example to the community and demonstrate the safety of all the approved vaccines available.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine recently received emergency approval from the federal government. It is the third vaccine being used in the state.
“Easy like Sunday morning,” Ball said with a thumbs-up after receiving the vaccine.