County Executive Wants Mass Vaccination Site At Ripken Stadium

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — As Harford County marked a milestone in its battle against the coronavirus Monday, the county executive called for more action from the state in vaccinating residents.

“One year ago on March 8, we learned of Harford County’s first case of COVID-19," County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement. "We had little understanding back then of this new plague and how it would affect nearly every aspect of our lives."

In the year since the county's first case — a Harford County woman in her 80s who had traveled out of the country — authorities say more than 12,000 people in Harford County have contracted the virus and 237 residents in Harford County have died from the COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Across the state, more than 7,500 others have died from COVID-19 as well.

"We mourn their loss and lift up their grieving families," Glassman said. "In the past few months, good news arrived with the FDA’s approval of three vaccines. This scientific breakthrough is miraculous. Unfortunately, supplies are still very limited."

Harford County received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 14, according to health officials. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each require two doses, and in late February, the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency authorization for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires a single dose.

"To date, 17 percent of our residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including first responders, teachers and senior citizens," Glassman said.

Approximately 17.6 percent of Harford County residents have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Maryland Department of Health. It also reported Tuesday that more than 10 percent of Harford County residents have also gotten a second dose.

Percent of population vaccinated against COVID-19:

• 17.6 percent have gotten the first dose in Harford County
• 17.3 percent have gotten the first dose in Maryland
• 10.03 percent have gotten the second dose in Harford County
• 9.5 percent have gotten the second dose in Maryland

"Harford’s vaccination rate is close to the state average, but too many of our residents are still scrambling for appointments," Glassman said. "I have requested a mass vaccination site at Ripken Stadium, and I continue to offer resources to the local health department and advocate for more vaccines in Harford County."

In February, Glassman along with the county's health officer and county council sent a letter to the state's health secretary requesting the designation of Ripken Stadium as a mass vaccination site.

Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Sean Bulson thanked the county executive for his advocacy.

"I appreciate [the] county executive for really kind of pushing the word out on this and requesting a mass vaccination site at Ripken Stadium," Bulson said at Monday night's school board meeting. "Anything we can do to get more people vaccinated ... that serves all of us."

Last week, in announcing mass vaccination sites for Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore and the western part of the state, the governor said that adding more mass vaccination sites would require more supply.

How To Sign Up For A Vaccine

Due to limited supplies, coronavirus vaccinations in Maryland are by appointment only.

The state is in its first phase of its vaccine distribution plan, which includes about 2 million of the state's 6 million population.

There are multiple ways to register for the vaccine:

Register with the Harford County Health Department.

Visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccination provider by area.

Call the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

Register at the mass vaccination sites around Maryland:

• Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore City (Baltimore residents prioritized)
• M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore City
• Six Flags America, Prince George's County
• Regency Furniture Stadium, Charles County
• For updates on mass vaccination sites, text #MDREADY to 898-211.

Check with health care providers and private retailers that have signed up to administer the vaccine (while these are authorized to give the vaccine, in many cases supply is not there):

• CVS
• Giant Food
• Harford County Health Department
• Medstar Health
• University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health
• Walgreens

In Cecil County, contact cecilcovid.vaccineinfo@maryland.gov or 410-996-1005.

Register for the vaccine in Baltimore County.

Register for the vaccine in Carroll County.

Having so many avenues to the vaccine rather than one location has been a source of contention.

"Along with other local leaders, I asked for a one-stop registration process and greater support for local health departments to reach vulnerable populations," Glassman said. "Every resident must have access to this lifesaving opportunity."

He also said he was concerned about the distribution of vaccines.

"Local government leaders had been assured that Maryland was distributing vaccines based on population, so I was extremely disappointed to learn that there are wide disparities," Glassman said in a statement Monday. "Clearly the state needs to refocus on equity and on balancing distribution by population."

Need Help Signing Up?

To help people navigate the web of access points to the COVID-19, volunteers have stepped up.

Harford Citizens Crush COVID-19 and the Maryland Vaccine Hunters offer assistance.

"In one of our darkest moments, these kind souls are a shining light," Glassman said.

The Harford County Health Department will also help those who need assistance and people without computers at 410-838-1500. The state help line is at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

"In the meantime, take care of yourself and those around you," Glassman said. "Wear a mask, keep your distance and stay safe. Harford County has done a good job so far, but we must remain vigilant. Hope is on the horizon.”

Here is the COVID-19 data from the Maryland Department of Health as of Tuesday, March 9:

See Also:

• Vaccine Sign-Up Frustrates Marylanders; Leaders Want Single Form
• How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Maryland
• Maryland Vaccine Hunters Help Residents Get COVID-19 Shots