Residents aged 65 and over in Prince George County can now begin receiving COVID-19 vaccines at county-administered clinics, as Maryland’s second most populous county increases vaccine eligibility.
Residents aged 65 and over in Prince George County can now start receiving COVID-19 vaccines at county-administered clinics, as Maryland’s second most populous county expands vaccine eligibility.
The county announced on Monday that it is entering Phase 1c of the vaccine implantation plan. This phase includes residents aged 65 and over, people receiving hospital treatment for serious medical problems and essential workers at high risk of exposure, such as grocery workers.
The municipality said in a press release that, even with the expansion, vaccination clinics run by the municipality will still give priority to residents aged 75 and over.
There are an estimated 80,000 people between the ages of 65 and 74 in the county, according to census data.
People who live and work in the county are eligible for vaccination appointments in the county, but must pre-register in the county. Health department officials use the list to make appointments. There are no service opportunities at the health department’s vaccine clinics.
“I am pleased to announce that we will continue to offer all those eligible in Phase 1C the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19 through our County Health Department,” said county executive Angela Alsobrooks in a statement.
“Our vaccination rates have increased significantly in the past few weeks, and I’m encouraging everyone in Phase 1C to make sure they’re pre-registered so they can join the growing number of Georgian princes who are proud to be protected from COVID- 19. “
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Overall, nearly 120,000 county residents received at least one dose of one of the coronavirus vaccines through a county-run clinic or through consultations at retail pharmacies, hospitals or state-run locations where eligibility has already expanded for Phase 1c.
The percentage of county residents who received at least the first dose is only 12% of the county’s population – the lowest in the state – but the county has seen progress recently in increasing vaccination.
Of the more than 37,000 first doses distributed to the health department so far, almost all have been placed in the arms of county residents, according to the county’s vaccine data panel.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan moved the state to Phase 1c in late January. However, due to the limited supply of vaccine doses, many clinics run by local health departments have progressed more slowly in expanding eligibility. The neighboring county of Montgomery, Maryland, moved to Phase 1 earlier this month.
Last week, Hogan and Alsobrooks said that up to 2,100 appointments a week at the state’s mass vaccination clinic at Six Flags theme park would be reserved for Prince George County residents on the county’s pre-registration list.
Another large-scale site is planned for Glenarden’s First Baptist Church, in partnership with the state’s vaccine equality task force, which is expected to increase to a capacity of 980 shots by the end of the month.
Stage 1c in Prince George County
Phase 1C includes:
- Adults 65 to 74 years of age
- Individuals receiving treatment at a hospital (including outpatient hospital centers) AND diagnosed with at least one of the following conditions:
- Cancer patients undergoing active treatment
- Patients with end-stage kidney disease who require kidney dialysis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Solid organ transplant recipients
- Patients with sickle cell disease
- Diabetic patients (types 1 and 2)
- Health and human service workers not covered in Phase 1A, such as:
- Public health workers
- Laboratory services
- Vaccine manufacturing
- Aging Departments, Social Services, Human Services
- Veterinarians
- Public security workers not covered by Phase 1A
- Essential workers at high risk of exposure
- Food and agriculture workers
- Grocery store workers
- Postal workers
- Public transport workers
- Clergy and religious leadership
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