By Mackenzie Burn
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan announced that pre-registration for vaccine appointments is available for all Marylanders 16 and older at mass vaccination sites.
Hogan announced that seven mass vaccination sites are opening this month, starting Friday. The no-appointment line at Salisbury mass vaccination site will open and welcome any eligible Marylander. The state has made plans to have more no-appointment lines for the other sites in the coming weeks, Hogan said.
“As a result of the robust infrastructure that we have built, our rapidly accelerating vaccination rate, and finally that critical increase in vaccine supply, we will likely be able to make announcements in the days ahead regarding further acceleration of vaccine eligibility phases,” Hogan said.
“In preparation for that, effective today, we are immediately opening pre-registration to phase three,” he said. “Every single Marylander who wants a Covid-19 vaccine can now pre-register for an appointment at a mass vaccination site.”
Senior centers throughout the state announced plans to reopen in a safe way by the end of April. Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Aging to try and collaborate with local jurisdictions to speak about plans that would allow the centers to re-open. The plans would be created with a focus on maintaining public health protocols. Vaccination clinics will be held before the reopening of the senior centers.
Local health authorities have been directed by the Health Department to submit equity plans to the state no later than Monday. The Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force was appointed a liaison to represent each county during February.
Jurisdictions have the ability to propose their own equity plans. They also will be provided with a list of facilities in their jurisdiction where the vaccination efforts should be concentrated, officials said.