Dear MedChi Members and Maryland Physicians:
I hope you are continuing to stay healthy and safe during this less-than-traditional holiday season.
We have heard from many physicians who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. We are working closely with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and have been assured that physicians and other health workers are in Phase 1 of the distribution. But we also know you want to see your patients vaccinated soon, too. We urge you to sign onto the MDH call at 5:00 this evening to get an update receiving and distributing the vaccine. See below for a summary of Governor Hogan's latest vaccine press conference.
Here's what I need you to know today:
SUMMARY OF YESTERDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE BY GOV. HOGAN
Yesterday, Governor Hogan and Dr. Jinlene Chan held a press conference to update Marylanders on the COVID-19 vaccine deployment, and we wanted to share a summary with you (or you can watch it here):
- With over 5,000 Marylanders lost to COVID-19, the vaccine deployment is a welcome ray of hope.
- Phase 1A deployment will see vaccine administered to "front line" health workers, long-term care residents and staff, and first responders. University of Maryland has already inoculated its first set of health care workers.
- Every hospital and nursing home in Maryland will receive its first shipment of doses over the next week to two weeks.
- Maryland's first vaccine shipment amounted to 155,000 doses. Currently, another 300,000 doses are expected by the end of the month, though this is subject to change. Approximated 800,000 to 1 million doses are necessary for all Phase 1 vaccinations.
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Governor Hogan is activating the Maryland National Guard to support vaccine distribution logistics for the Maryland Department of Health.
- Vaccine safety awareness media campaigns will be shared across Maryland.
- The state is developing a vaccine deployment dashboard.
- Phase 2 vaccinations will include essential workers, including school and childcare staff.
- Dr. Chan shared detailed on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.
- Both vaccines require two doses.
- Moderna vaccine distribution is expected to begin next week assuming it received its FDA EUA on December 17.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for individuals age 16 and over.
- Clinical trials are underway for children under 16 and pregnant women.
- Side effects are typically mild and similar to flu vaccine side effects.
- Governor Hogan noted that he will be vaccinated himself when he becomes eligible but will not be vaccinated ahead of health care workers.
- Maryland is coordinating with Virginia and DC on vaccinating health care workers who live and work across state/district lines.
HELPFUL VACCINE LINKS
MORE COVID-19 NEWS AND INFORMATION
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Montgomery County Medical Society has compiled infection control FAQs with help from the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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This week's MedChi News, our member email newsletter, includes more COVID-19 updates.
