First to receive vaccinations are frontline health care workers, first responders, long-term care facilities
Frederick, MD (KB) Vaccination against COVID-19 is already underway in Frederick County.
Health Officer, Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, spoke Thursday during the County Executive’s public information briefing.
She said the first in line for the vaccine are frontline health care workers, first responders, and residents and employees of long-term care facilities.
“Currently in Frederick County, all the nursing homes have received their first doses for residents and for staff,” said Dr. Brookmyer. “And a couple of the assisted living facilities that are associated with those nursing homes also have their staff and residents vaccinated.”
She said when the vaccine is administered to the rest of the population depends upon future shipments.
The state has also set up an online scheduling program for patients to set up appointments for vaccinations, as well as locations where shots are administered.
“At the time that they are opening the link to see the available schedule slots, it will also give the location,” Dr. Brookmyer explained.
She said efforts will be made to reach citizens who don’t have regular access to the internet.
“When people are less able to access what’s out there is for friends and family members to be aware of and ask those friends and family members and neighbors whether they would like any assistance,” she explained.
During the same public information briefing, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner addressed the events that took place yesterday at the US Capitol building.
“I cannot begin today’s briefing without commenting on the events that happened in our nation’s capital yesterday,” she said. “Like many of you, I watched in horror as an angry mob attacked the US Capitol.”
Gardner said yesterday’s events were “unbelievable.”
“What happened yesterday was wrong and was dangerous,” she said. “Frankly, I found it unbelievable. It was something most of us never expected to see in our lifetime.”
Gardner had this to say about a peaceful transition of power.
“We had a free and fair election, and the will of the people must be honored,” she stated. “In America, we don’t always like the outcome of an election. Sometimes our candidates win, sometimes they lose. But we have fundamentally agreed, practiced, and implemented a peaceful transition of power, and we must do so now.”
The County Executive urged Americans to stand united in support of democracy and our country.
“As Americans, we need to stand united in strong opposition to violence and acts of insurrection,” she said.