Centralized Vaccine Sign-Up Proposed By MD Lawmaker

WASHINGTON, D.C. — One Maryland lawmaker wants states to have a single sign-up portal for the coronavirus vaccine. Anthony Brown, the U.S. representative for parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, introduced a bill in Congress last Thursday to encourage a more unified registration process.

Brown pointed to states like Maryland and Massachusetts that require residents to sign up for the immunization on public and private websites. He thinks this is too convoluted. The congressman instead suggested that states create a one-stop form for all their inoculation providers.

"Unfortunately, too many states are relying on a patchwork of disjointed and cumbersome third-party private systems, leaving many Americans frustrated, confused and left behind," Brown said in a press release. "State governments must step-up to meet the needs of their residents, particularly those most vulnerable to this deadly virus."

The congressman noted that New Mexico, West Virginia and New Hampshire have already created single-stop registrations. Gov. Larry Hogan has previously dismissed the idea. He speculated that one website could not handle a state with so many providers and eager residents.

"What we don't want is to have one central site that 6 million people are crashing," Hogan said. "That doesn't work. Right now, it's been dispersed."

Brown's proposal would give every state a grant to maintain a streamlined system. It would also create a federal website and call center for Americans to find every state's immunization information.

Brown calls his bill the Vaccine Administration Centralization to Coordinate and Improve National Execution Act. The VACCINE Act is still in its early stages, and it won't get an official vote for some time.

"To save lives, it is imperative that federal, state and local governments make getting a vaccine as easy as possible," Brown said. "I believe we are up to this challenge."

To see when you'll be eligible for the vaccine, head to this website or read Maryland's plan. Use the state's search engine to find the location and registration form for your closest vaccination clinics.

Check Maryland's immunization progress on its numbers dashboard. Follow the state's infection trends on its data tracker. For more information about the coronavirus vaccine, click here.

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RELATED:

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• Vaccine Sign-Up Frustrates Marylanders; Leaders Want Single Form
• Mass Vaccination Site Opens At Six Flags; MD Battles Slow Rollout
• Hogan Lobbies For Vaccines, Economic Aid, Hybrid School In Speech

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