BALTIMORE (WMAR) — Baltimore City Community College is one of dozens of sites opening up this week as vaccination clinics. But there is still a shortage of doses and a growing backlog of people who want them, as the state moves into Phase 1C of distribution.
372,937 vaccine doses have been administered in Maryland and as the state moves into Phase 1C, more people are eligible, including education staff, the U.S. Postal Service, public mass transit, grocery store employees and adults 65 years and older.
The federal government is only giving the state on average 10,000 doses a day for the over 1.5 million people who are eligible so supply is very limited. Providers have now utilized 72.1% of first doses allocated to the state. But as doses become available, more and more places are open to administer them.
"Maryland residents are interested in receiving the vaccine. I think the appetite means a lot and we are playing out part in getting one step closer to normalcy," said Samir Balile, the clinical programs manager for Giant Food.
Monday, Baltimore City Community College opened as a clinic, a clinic at Howard Community College is opening Tuesday and several Walmart and Giant Food locations are now administering vaccine to eligible people.
"The advantage that we have is we are a pharmacy in a grocery store so when you talk about accessibility and decreasing the barriers and access to receiving the vaccine, we chose specifically 22 Giant pharmacies in the state of Maryland, as well as some of our energies were more so focused on the hot spots," said Balile.
Balile said in addition to hot spots like Prince Georges County, they focused on places that need more accessibility.
"[Communities that] may not necessarily have the resources to get access to the vaccine, we wanted to make sure to address those communities," said Balile.
Balile said they have already had a lot of interest and are scheduling appointments based on their vaccine allotment from the state. You can schedule your vaccine here.
"Whatever they are sending us, our hope is to administer and get shots in arms as soon as possible," said Balile.
If you are 65 years or older in Baltimore City, you can fill out this form to register for a vaccine or call the Maryland Access Point at 410-396-care (2273).
To find a site near you, click here.
