By Elise Devlin
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday that, starting this week, the state will set aside weekly blocks of community-based priority appointments for all Maryland mass vaccination sites.
“As we continue to ramp up the capacity of our mass vaccination sites, we are also focusing on ensuring equitable access for Marylanders,” said Hogan. “Using both our call center and text-based outreach, we are working with local health departments to get shots into arms of our most vulnerable populations.”
Priority appointments for mass vaccination sites are currently booked through text-based and call center outreach, using state and local pre-registration lists, Hogan said.
Marylanders who are part of Phase 1 are now able to pre-register online at covidvax.maryland.gov or by phone through the state’s COVID-19 vaccination support center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). Current priority appointment blocks being set aside include:
- M&T Bank Stadium: The state will provide at least 2,100 priority appointments each week for Baltimore City residents. This is in addition to the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital’s focus on city residents in underserved ZIP codes.
- Regency Furniture Stadium: For the Southern Maryland mass vaccination site, the state will provide at least 2,100 priority appointments per week, divided equitably by population, for residents of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
- Wicomico Youth and Civic Center: The Eastern Shore mass vaccination site is set to open Thursday, and the state will provide at least 2,100 priority appointments per week, divided equitably by population, for residents of Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties.
- Hagerstown Premium Outlets: The Western Maryland mass vaccination site is set to open March 25, and the state will provide at least 2,100 priority appointments per week, divided equitably by population, for residents of Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties.
- Six Flags America: Last week, the governor and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced the state will provide at least 2,100 priority appointments per week for Prince Georgians at the mass vaccination site.
These are minimum allotments and may increase as supply allows, Hogan said.