The one in Frederick is not affected.
Frederick, Md (KM) Governor Larry Hogan has announced the state’s mass vaccination COVID-19 clinics are being phased out. In a statement, the Governor says this action is being taken as local demands change, and additional resources are directed to mobile clinics and community based activities.
“I said our goal was to put ourselves out of business at these mass vaccination sites, and as one of the most vaccinated states in the country, we are now approaching that point,” Governor Hogan said in a statement. “We have already begun shifting some of these resources to our mobile clinics and community activities as we continue in our mission to make sure no arm is left behind.”
One of the mass vaccination sites scheduled to close is the Premium Outlets in Hagerstown. After June 5th, the clinic will move to Meritus Medical Center.
But Frederick County own mass vaccination site at Oak Street will be unaffected, according to spokeswoman Rissah Watkins with the Frederick County Health Department. “That is a state-supported site. It’s not fully state run. We were using that location and will continue to use that. We do not have plans to close that location anytime soon,” she says.
Watkins says the county had mass vaccination centers at Frederick Community College and the Scott Key. But they have been closed as the County concentrates its efforts at the Oak Street location.
She also says the county is continuing its mobile clinics to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19. “We’re in the Frederick Towne Mall parking lot on Mondays, The Wayman AME Church on Tuesdays. Hillcrest Community Center on Thursdays. Those clinics are all offering Moderna vaccine because we have a lot of that,” says Watkins.
“We will also be offering Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department on June 8th and 9th; the Myersville Fire Department on June 10th and 11th; and the Urbana Fire Department on June 12th,” she continues.
Watkins goes on to say that having mobile clinics is one way to get people who are hesitant about the vaccine to come forward and get their shots. “So that’s part of the reason why we are making sure we have community clinics throughout the county. And we also have the option of having a free Lyft ride thanks to the United Way. So we’re trying to address the access issue in a variety of ways,” she says.
The Governor’s Office says many of these mass vaccination centers are phasing out the first dose of the vaccines. But Watkins says Frederick County will continue to offer the first dose. “All of our Frederick County clinics are offering first doses, absolutely,:” she says.
“As the state is starting to phase out and close their mass vaccination sites, they’re starting to stop offering the first doses because they want to be sure that people can come to the same locations for their second doses. That usually works out best,” Watkins says.
Anyone who wants to be vaccinated against COVID-19 can go on line at http://frederickcountymd.gov.covidvaccine to make an appointment, or call 301-600-7900 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Spanish speakers can call 301-600-7906.
By Kevin McManus