Harford County could start vaccinating 21,000 people per week once its mass vaccination site is up and running next month, county executive Barry Glassman said.
Governor Larry Hogan announced the county site will be one of six additional mass vaccination sites the state will open by the end of next month. It would bring the state’s total to 12.
The new sites come as the state promises to increase vaccine supply for local health departments. The county executive said they’re currently vaccinating about 1,000 people per day.
The news also comes after Glassman urged the Governor to open a mass vaccination site in the county.
He said due to limited supplies, residents were forced to schedule an appointment and get their shot in other places throughout the state.
“I think those folks who have had trouble logging on to websites are frustrated mainly because the amount of vaccines have been so limited. Once this frees up. they will see how easy it is going to be to get it done,” he said.
Glassman said it remains unclear where the site will be, but he hopes the state will choose Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen which he wants to operate as a drive thru clinic. He said it will also be able to serve residents from neighboring counties.
“No matter where you live in the county, that ballpark is known. It’s easy to get in and out off of I-95, so it really lends itself to be a good site,” Glassman said.
Bel-Air resident John Skillman said some of his family members are among the people who have had a hard time scheduling an appointment in Harford County.
“I’ve heard nothing but frustrations,” he said.
Skillman is now eligible to get the vaccine and he’s hoping the new site will make the process easier.
“That’s awesome to hear that there would be something to locally get that and not have to go through all the trouble that other people have gone through,” Skillman said.
Jennifer Karras, who works in the county, said she couldn’t agree more.
“To have it open to more people, to have more people come to have more vaccines available, I think it’s wonderful,” she said.
Glassman said he hopes to get official word on where the site will be in the next week and a half.
