Hogan, Rutherford Tackle Vaccine Hesitancy In Prince George's

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Maryland is pumping resources into Prince George's County to help roll out the coronavirus vaccine. Given the jurisdiction's lagging immunization totals and widespread inoculation hesitancy, Prince George's has become the focus of the state's health equity campaign.

"Events in our nation’s history have made some minority communities reluctant to participate in this vaccination effort," Lieutenant Gov. Boyd Rutherford said in a press release. "Unfortunately, those communities are among the hardest hit by this pandemic."

Maryland officials are reaching out to these populations directly to bolster immunization confidence.

Last Friday, Rutherford visited a Glenn Dale church to promote the vaccine's safety. After he spoke with the congregation of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, eligible parishioners got the shot at Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham.

"We are engaging trusted voices in those communities to help address those concerns," Rutherford added. "COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and an important tool in preventing more illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths."

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The recently-founded Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force is also trying to reach these underserved groups. Each of the state's 24 local health departments will appoint an equity liaison.

That representative will work with the leader of the task force, Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead of the Maryland National Guard. Together Birkhead and the liaisons will identify key populations that need attention.

"With targeted investments in education, outreach, and vaccine locations, we can mitigate the impact of inequality on the uptake of vaccines," stated Birkhead, who also visited the church. "The equity task force is energized and engaged, and we’re looking forward to working with you and your community."

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Gov. Larry Hogan has also upped his focus on Prince George's County, which has the lowest vaccination rate in Maryland. In recent months Hogan has:

• Unveiled a statewide mass immunization site at Six Flags
• Reserved appointments at Six Flags for Prince Georgians, though it is open to the whole state
• Given the county $17 million to bolster its inoculation efforts
• Deployed National Guard soldiers to assist vaccinations at Cheverly Health Center
• Assigned 50 volunteers from the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps to the county
• Toured a pharmacy vaccine clinic in District Heights
• Launched public health campaigns across Prince George's

"We are working hard to promote vaccine confidence and ensure equitable access while we await more doses from the federal government," the governor said in a January statement.

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 by heading to our latest numbers update.

RELATED:

• Vaccine Update: 5 Percent Of Prince George's Has Gotten The Shot
• Coronavirus Vaccine: Prince George's County Lays Out Timeline
• How To Get Coronavirus Vaccine In Prince George's County
• Hybrid Classes Will Start In Prince George's County
• Hogan Meets With Biden To Talk Economic Aid, Coronavirus Vaccines

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.