D.C. along with Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland are opening up more coronavirus vaccine appointments, while Montgomery County said it has not received enough supplies to move forward.
Following the state’s lead, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said starting Monday, county residents eligible in Phase 1b can make appointments to get the shot.
These include those age 75 and older, those in assisted-living facilities, K-12 teachers and education staff, and child care providers. The appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We’re asking our seniors and everyone else in Phase 1B to please sign up to get the COVID-19 vaccine and be Proud to be Protected,” Alsobrooks said in a statement.
Those who cannot complete the appointment form on their own should ask for help from a friend or family member; Prince George’s county is working on launching a hotline soon to help those with who have challenges with the internet.
An estimated 25,000 people in Prince George’s County fall into Phase 1a; 95,000 people in Phase 1b; and 150,000 in Phase 1c.
“Due to the current limited supply of vaccines, it will take some time for the County to move through all of Phase 1, and vaccine appointments in the coming weeks will be made available as vaccine supply allows,” the county said.
Anne Arundel County is focusing its vaccination efforts on seniors age 75 and older to start before allowing other groups in the Phase 1b population to make their appointment.
“With high case rates, hospitalizations and deaths impacting our county, we need to provide more vaccines to save lives,” said Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Anne Arundel County’s health officer. “Our oldest residents are at the highest risk. Black residents also have increased death rates compared to the population.”
While vaccinations won’t begin until Tuesday, Jan. 19, seniors who live in the county can begin signing up in advance either online or by phone on weekdays by calling the COVID Care Warm Line 410-222-3663 or Maryland Access Point at 410-222-4464.
The county said that it will announce when other Phase 1b groups — such as child care providers, teachers and congregate living facility staff and residents — can make appointments for their vaccinations later this month.
Not enough vaccines in Montgomery County
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said his county has not received enough supplies to finish vaccinating those in group 1a.
“We will begin vaccinating those in Priority Group 1B as soon as we can, while continuing to vaccinate those in Priority Group 1A,” Elrich said Friday.
Those who are eligible under Phase 1b can preregister at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services website.
Additional slots available to DC wards with fewest number of appointments
In the District, the health department said that starting Saturday, some 4,309 appointments will be available to residents of Wards 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 who are 65 and older and/or work in a health care setting.
The wards had the fewest number of residents to make an appointment last Monday, and the additional slots on Saturday are to “ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine,” a D.C. news release said.
You can find registration information at D.C.’s coronavirus vaccine website or by calling the District’s coronavirus call center at 855-363-0333.
On Monday, an additional 1,436 appointments will be available to any D.C. resident age 65 and above or anyone who works in a health care setting in D.C.
WTOP’s Matthew Delaney contributed to this report
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Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.
