Greenbelt Mass Vaccination Site Announced, Applauded For Equity

GREENBELT, MD — A mass vaccination site will open at Greenbelt Station on Wednesday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will run the clinic, making it the only nationally-operated location in Maryland.

The site will dole out up to 3,000 shots per day, and it will get its doses straight from the federal government. The location will primarily serve residents of Prince George's County, which has the lowest immunization rate in Maryland.

Equitable Rollout

Leaders applauded the new high-volume clinic, called the Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center. They think its location at a Metro stop will make it easy to access for Marylanders without vehicles.

"It is absolutely critical that we can continue to quickly and equitably administer vaccine to our community," Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said in a press release announcing the clinic last Tuesday. "This new site will help us increase the number of Prince Georgians and others who are proud to be protected from COVID-19."

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U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown, who represents Prince Georgians in Maryland's fourth congressional district, also cheered the announcement. Brown frequently accuses Gov. Larry Hogan of leading an inequitable inoculation rollout.

This time, he cheered the location for opening in an at-risk community. Brown welcomed the expansion in a joint statement with Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen as well as U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, who represents Prince Georgians in Maryland's fifth congressional district.

"Prince Georgians have been hit especially hard by this pandemic and have accounted for a disproportionate number of COVID-19 deaths and cases," the lawmakers wrote. "This federal site will improve vaccination rates among Black Marylanders and the Latino community, which have had the lowest vaccination rates across our state."

The Logistics

FEMA will have translators and interpreters at the clinic. They will help residents who are deaf, have hearing loss or speak other languages. Though this is FEMA's first inoculation location in Maryland, the agency also offers logistical support to the state's mass immunization site in Waldorf.

"The federal government has committed itself to ensuring safe, equitable, and efficient vaccinations for all Americans," said Janice Barlow, acting regional administrator for FEMA third region. "We consider this mission a trust and an honor to carry out."

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will post signs around the Metrorail station to lead vaccinees to a free parking lot reserved for patients.

"We're doing our part to keep the region moving and support its economic recovery," WMATA said in a release. "We encourage everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated when eligible."

Other Mass Vaccination Sites

Hogan announced Monday that the immunization will soon be available to all Marylanders 16 and up. These residents can get the shot at one of Maryland's mass vaccination sites starting Tuesday. The remaining clinics, like those run by local health departments and private providers, must give the inoculation to the newly-eligible Marylanders by April 12.

The state has six active mass vaccination sites located at:

• The Baltimore Convention Center
• Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium
• Upper Marlboro's Six Flags America
• Waldorf's Regency Furniture Stadium
• Salisbury's Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
• The former Wolf Furniture store in the Hagerstown Premium Outlets

By the end of the month, six more high-volume facilities will open at:

• The Timonium Fairgrounds in the week of April 5
• Germantown's campus of Montgomery College in the week of April 5
• Annapolis' Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the week of April 12
• Frederick Community College in the week of April 12
• The Mall in Columbia in the week of April 19
• Aberdeen's Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in the week of April 19

That will give Maryland 13 mass immunization clinics by the end of the month. Anybody 16 and up can now preregister for an appointment at any of these locations by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

Residents in earlier stages of inoculation, like front-line workers and at-risk Marylanders, will still take precedence. That means locals may have to wait a bit for a timeslot.

"We are grateful to the White House, FEMA, and all of our federal partners for working with us to expand our vaccination campaign in Prince George’s County and across the state," Hogan said in a press release. "These vaccines are safe and effective, and when your turn arrives, we urge Marylanders to get vaccinated."

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

To see when you'll be eligible for the inoculation, read Patch's explainer. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the latest coronavirus infection and vaccination metrics in Prince George's County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

RELATED:

• Vaccine Milestones Approach, But Cases Climb In Prince George's
• Coronavirus Vaccine: Prince George's County Lays Out Timeline
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Prince George's County
• Coronavirus Aid Helps MD Businesses As Legislative Year Nears End
• COVID-19 Vaccine Open To Marylanders 16 And Up Starting April 6

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.