Hogan's Decentralized Vaccine Strategy Continues To Put Prince George's County At Risk

Press Release

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), released the following statement calling on Governor Hogan to better prioritize Prince George's County residents for vaccine appointments:

"Maryland's disorganized and fragmented approach to vaccinations has left counties like Prince George's scrambling and residents frustrated. Our state consistently lags behind the rest of the country for vaccinations and Prince George's County is far behind other jurisdictions. The current approach is not working and demands a course correction.

"I remain deeply concerned that state vaccine supplies are not being equitably distributed, putting the populous Prince George's County at a default disadvantage. Additionally, while the opening of the mass vaccination site at Six Flags is welcome news for Prince George's, unclear directions have pitted residents from neighboring counties against each other as they fight for limited appointments. The Governor's decentralized strategy is not meeting the needs of our residents.

"We need a one-stop portal for Marylanders to easily enter the vaccination queue, check their place in line and secure an appointment. In contrast to the current state guidance which requires Marylanders to check multiple websites, complete multiple forms and hope for confirmation. That "system' does not work for working families."

As part of the upcoming COVID-19 rescue package, Congress will appropriate more than $20 billion to aid both vaccine production and distribution efforts. Congressman Brown and Majority Leader Hoyer have called on the Biden-Harris Administration to locate a federally-run vaccination site in Prince George's County.

Since President Joe Biden took office, the number of doses being sent to states has increased by 28 percent, to 11 million doses a week. Yesterday, the Biden-Harris administration announced a 5 percent boost to the supply of vaccines sent to states and will begin shipping doses directly to community health centers that target low-income people and people of color -- a move that will directly benefit Prince George's County residents.

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