Lawmakers look for clear COVID-19 vaccine plans as thousands of doses remain unused in MD

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) – About a month after Marylanders started rolling up their sleeves to get a COVID-19 vaccine as the state launched its vaccination program, the distribution plan remains riddled with questions and uncertainty.

During a COVID-19 response legislative workgroup meeting Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, lawmakers heard testimony from Dr. Jinlene Chan, acting deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Health, detailing the state’s complex plan for vaccination. Dr. Chan provided a clearer picture to the timeline for people to get a vaccine, outlining a rough estimate for when the state could move through the various multi-phase distribution plan.

According to the state’s current plan, 65-year-old and older Marylanders do not qualify for a COVD-19 vaccine until Phase 1C, which is contrary to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest guidance for states to get people 65 years old vaccinated as soon as possible. Dr. Chan said the state is evaluating altering the plan but is concerned with vaccine availability.

“We are looking at how we might change our vaccination plans in accordance to the new guidance from the federal government,” Dr. Chan said.

Such plans could be announced Thursday, Jan. 14 when Gov. Larry Hogan holds a news conference to discuss COVID-19 vaccinations.

Phase 1A: 500,000 people

The state is currently operating under this stage of distribution. It includes front line hospital staff and healthcare workers, nursing home residents and staff, law enforcement, firefighter and EMS workers, all licensed and registered health care providers, correctional health care staff and officers, and front-line judiciary staff.

Phase 1B: 860,000 people

Dr. Chan said the estimated timeline for this stage to begin is late January, however some healthcare providers have been authorized to move to this stage if there is enough vaccine available, and the other members of Phase 1A have been given their shot.

Qualified people in this stage are assisted living facilities, group homes or other congregate facilities, continuity of government officials, K-12 education staff and faculty members, and adults 75 years old and older.

Phase 1C: 772,000 people

This stage is expected to begin in early March, though Dr. Chan said the timeline hinges on the vaccine allocation from the federal government, which hinges on the production of the vaccine itself.

Qualified individuals in Phase 1C include adults between 65 years old and 74, public safety employees and public health workers not covered in Phase 1A, food and agriculture production workers, postal service employees, manufacturing workers, public transit employees and grocery store workers.

Phase 2: 1.1 million

There is no timeline provided by MDH for this stage to begin. It includes adults 16 years old to 64 that are at an increased risk of sever illness due to underlying heath conditions, incarcerated adults, and essential workers employed in the field of infrastructure, critical utilities, transportation and logistics.

Phase 3: General Population

Who qualifies in the various subgroups of vaccine plans wasn’t the only issue some lawmakers raised with the state’s rollout; Del. Eric Luedtke, D-Montgomery County, inquired about the number of vaccines sitting in coolers around the state, given 550,000 doses had been delivered to heath care providers in Maryland but roughly 200,000 people had been given their first or both doses.

“So, we are still in a place where less than a third of doses that have been distributed have actually been administered,” he asked.

Dr. Chan said the 550,000 number includes “some of the doses for the second doses that are coming through,” though she wasn’t able to provide a direct answer when asked specifically how many doses were being held back by the state of Maryland in reserves for people to get their required second dose.

“I don’t want to misspeak and tell you something differently. We are tracking it very carefullyI will say that we are continuing to make improvements and add more informationto be able to answer questions,” she said.

Despite Wednesday’s hearing lasting roughly an hour and a half, Senate President Bill Ferguson was left unsatisfied.

“When we receive lots of explanation about the complexity of the decision making, we get it and agree and are sympathetic about it, but we cannot get a clear answer about when and where people can get a vaccine,” Sen. Ferguson said Thursday afternoon. “The longer the uncertainty lasts, the lower the likelihood we will get the vaccine to the number of people that needs to get it to get past this COVID-19 crisis.”

Sen. Ferguson also said he has heard several stories of some of the coveted COVID-19 doses being thrown away due to the short window of time health care providers have once the vials are thawed to get them into the arms of people.

“I’ve heard of cases here and there where four [doses] will get done but there are two left and it has to be thrown away,” he said. “The more those cases arise to worse this is going to be.”

Dr. Chan said the plans will evolve as production increases and the state’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard will become more and more transparent as more information is available. But for lawmakers, including House Speaker Adriene Jones who took to Twitter Thursday to express her frustration, the governor’s plans to rollout the vaccine isn’t enough.

“I understand the importance of an orderly rollout, but the perfect can’t be the enemy of the good here,” Sen. Ferguson said. “We’ve got to get these vaccines out and just start moving as fast as possible. It’s important for our economy, it’s important for educational opportunities and it’s important of course for public health.”

Dr. Chan was also probed about potential mass vaccination locations, like underway in other states. She said the state is looking into various venues, possibly Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore City, or other large locations.

“Those plans are being discussed right now,” Dr. Chan said. “Yes, we are looking at all different kinds of venues to be able to push out vaccines.”

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The General Assembly began Jan. 13, 2021 and Sen. Ferguson said lawmakers will continue to push for more information from Gov. Hogan and his administration about ways to improve the vaccine expediency.

“Every single day from this point forward, we are going to be asking the question ‘what is the status of the vaccine rollout, who is getting it now and when will people know when they can get it and where they can get it’,” he said.

Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.

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