By Quincy Broadnax
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Maryland Department of Health opened a new state-run COVID-19 vaccination and testing site at State Center in Baltimore on Saturday.
The site is calledthe State Center COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Site and is located at 300 W. Preston St..
It is run jointly by the Maryland Department of Health, the University of Maryland Medical System, and Johns Hopkins Medicine.
“Our commitment to providing accessible vaccination and testing services has never been stronger, and the important work we have done in this partnership continues uninterrupted at the new State Center site,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “With vaccinations for all Marylanders 5 years old and older now available, this site will be an important part of keeping Baltimore City residents protected from COVID-19.”
“Continuing to move forward means continuing our partnership with UMMS, Baltimore City, and the state to provide the testing and vaccinations needed to create a safety net for our communities,” said Kevin W. Sowers, president of the Johns Hopkins Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Vaccination is safe, it’s effective, and it’s free.”
The State Center COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Sitewill continue the vaccine and testing operations formerly housed at the Baltimore Convention Center. The joint team that will be operating the site is known as the BCCFH COVID Task Force.
“The success of the public-private partnership forged through the BCCFH has exceeded the expectations of all involved in this incredible project. The expert clinical services at the site, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination, have made an enormous difference in our collective response to the pandemic,” said Mohan Suntha, president and chief executive officer of the University of Maryland Medical System.
To mark the opening, the new facility offered Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations for Marylanders ages 5 and up from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.Individuals ages 5 to11 were given vaccines by appointment only. Walk-up vaccines were made available to individuals 12 and older.
After the opening, vaccinationsare held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Walk-up vaccines are available to individuals ages 12 and older anytime during operating hours. Pfizer vaccines for individuals ages 5-11 are available by appointment only, while supplies last. Testingfor COVID-19 is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.