Notes from Governor Hogan’s 1/14 Press Conference

Notes from Governor Hogan’s 1/14 Press Conference

Our regular notetaker was unavailable for today’s press conference so we are sharing Governor Hogan’s communications director, Mike Ricci’s tweets:

Today the governor participated in a teleconference with @NatlGovsAssoc and President-elect Biden’s transition team. Prior to that, he spoke with Jeffrey Zients, the incoming White House #COVID19 Coordinator.

@GovLarryHogan reiterates that we are now entering the most challenging phase of the pandemic, and that getting vaccinated is critical to preventing more illnesses and more deaths.

Vaccines are approved by America’s leading medical experts, and are highly effective at preventing #COVID19 illnesses.

Maryland’s initial allocation of #COVID19 vaccines have been focused on Phase 1A critical healthcare workers, first responders, and those most at risk of contracting the virus.

As of today, Maryland has successfully distributed 547,300 (first and second) doses of vaccines to hospitals, nursing homes, and local health departments for all these priority 1A populations. This represents 99.6% of all doses allotted by the federal government.

320,000 doses have been deployed to Maryland hospitals for them to vaccinate their own critical healthcare workers.
To date, hospitals have administered 112,175 doses.

137,425 doses have been delivered to every county health department for them to vaccinate essential healthcare staff and first responders. To date, they have administered 56,621 doses.

61,425 doses were sent directly from the federal government to CVS and Walgreens to administer vaccines in our 227 nursing homes. CVS reports completing clinics at 94% of its nursing homes, and Walgreen is at 76%.

PHASE 1B. After conferring with CDC Director Redfield, Vice President Pence, and President-elect Biden’s team, and reviewing revised CDC guidance, the governor announces the immediate activation of Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.

On Monday, 1/18, eligible groups will be expanded statewide to include all Marylanders 75 and older, as well as anyone of any age living in assisted living or independent living facilities, and developmental disabilities and behavioral health group homes.

Those now eligible in Phase 1B also include K-12 teachers, education staff, and child care providers.

We have also activated Part B of the federal CVS and Walgreens partnership to include assisted living and all other long-term care facilities.

WALMART AND GIANT PARTNERSHIP. The governor announces the launch of a pilot program with Walmart and Giant locations to begin administering vaccines at their pharmacies.

The pilot will launch the week of 1/25 at 22 Giant locations, 3 Martin’s locations in Washington and Allegany Counties, and 10 Walmart locations on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland.

Beginning Monday, 1/18, we are directing all Maryland hospitals and county health departments to begin utilizing their remaining doses by opening Phase 1B clinics focused on the elderly.

Tonight, we are launching covidvax.maryland.gov, an online portal where Marylanders can find a list of vaccination sites in their area along with appropriate contact information. Due to limited supply, vaccinations will be done by *appointment only* at this time.

For teachers and education staff, the State Superintendent has submitted plans for how each county school system will vaccinate its teachers and critical staff. These plans will be implemented in the coming weeks.

PHASE 1C. In addition to moving into Phase 1B, the governor announces the move into Phase 1C on Monday, 1/25, which will be open to all Maryland residents ages 65-74.

LOCAL FLEXIBILITY. The governor announces that locals will be granted additional flexibility in utilizing their allocated doses, as long as they continue to prioritize the elderly and most vulnerable.

MASS VACCINATION SITES. In anticipation of increased vaccine production, @MDHealthDept, and @MDNG are working with private partners to open mass vaccination sites at central locations.

@MDNG has been assisting the Prince George’s County Health Dept, along with Charles County, to expand their county vaccination clinics.

The Guard is also serving as a force multiplier and providing support personnel to testing and vaccination sites.

Through the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps, we have allocated 771 volunteers for county vaccination clinics. 10 jurisdictions have taken advantage of this, and 6 more have initiated the process of receiving volunteers.

OUT-OF-STATE PRACTITIONERS. Today, @MDHealthDept is issuing an order which allows out-of-state practitioners to prepare and administer vaccines in Maryland.

Read the order: phpa.health.maryland.gov/Documents/2021…

The governor again cautions that this will continue to be a long process, and that our greatest limiting factor, by far, will be supply.

We need roughly 3 million doses to get through all of our Phase 1 populations.

The governor calls on Marylanders to help the elderly make a plan to get vaccinated. covidvax.maryland.gov