Vaccination town-hall with AARP

February 9, 2021

Dear resident,

Since the start of this vaccination rollout, I have urged the State and County to focus on older residents, who are medically vulnerable.

While people age 80+ are between 2-3% of our County population, they have comprised over 50% of all our deaths from COVID-19.

That is why seniors must continue to be an urgent priority. We know that at our current pace, it will take several more weeks to work our way through appointments for those 75+.

On Wednesday, at 1pm, I invite you to join me for a tele-townhall for seniors sponsored by AARP, featuring the County’s health experts and a vaccine safety expert from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Vaccination update

January 27, 2021

Dear resident:

As you are seeing in communications from the state, Maryland has opened up eligibility to both 1A and 1B and now 1C priority groups.

I have been among those advocating to widen eligibility, in order to get doses off the shelf and into arms. By widening eligibility, administration of doses should accelerate.

Remember that there are four vaccination administrative operations. It is important to distinguish among them.

• Hospitals — now 1A/1B/1C as per state guidelines
• County government — for County priority groups (presently 1A and 75+ only)
• CVS/Walgreens — for nursing homes, long term care, group homes (1A)
• Retail pharmacies — The state has added Giant, Walmart, and more are expected soon for 1A/1B/1C, following state guidelines

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Vaccination update — pre-register for an appointment

January 15, 2021

Dear resident:

This week saw a big shift in the state’s vaccination strategy.

On Monday I wrote to you about why we needed to revise the strategy to start administering more doses. I called for the Governor to open up eligibility to age 75+.

Thanks to the Governor’s Thursday announcement, going forward:

• Residents age 75+ and education sector employees are now eligible (1B).
• Hospitals, some of which have unused inventory, are now directed to provide doses to 1B eligible residents in the community.
• Additional retail pharmacies will begin administering doses (though this will be very limited to start).

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Vaccination update

January 11, 2021

Dear resident,

The prioritization strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations is carefully thought out, from the Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidance, through the State of Maryland down to Montgomery County.

But so far the results are mixed.

This past week the County received 8,600 Moderna doses and administered 6,485 in our County clinics. That leaves 2,115 doses on the shelf, despite the heroic efforts of our Public Health team.

Evidently early stage groups are not showing up at the rate expected; whether because outreach hasn’t been strong enough, people just need time to schedule, or they are hesitant. But the outcome is clear and untenable.

That is why I am urging County officials to open up Group 1B and begin making vaccination doses available to residents over age 75.

This will require coordination with the State Department of Health, so today I am reiterating that call, and asking Governor Hogan to direct his health team to revise the state strategy.

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