Vaccine Outreach Targets Towns With Low Immunization Rates

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A coronavirus vaccine outreach team will promote the shot in Prince George's County. The push will focus on towns with low immunization rates.

County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced the effort Tuesday. She calls it the Countywide Vaccine Distribution and Education Initiative.

"By targeting communities that are lagging in vaccination rates, our outreach team will be a critical component of our efforts to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are distributed equitably," Alsobrooks said in a press release.

The group will offer accurate inoculation information and help schedule appointments. Workers will also point residents toward coronavirus resources like food, rental and employment assistance.

Alsobrooks identified towns in need based on their socio-economic statuses, vaccination rates and population. Employees will knock on 266,352 doors spread between:

• Bladensburg
• Temple Hills
• Capitol Heights
• Hyattsville
• Oxon Hill
• College Park
• District Heights
• Riverdale
• Suitland
• Langley Park
• Mount Rainier

Staffers will also make 1.3 million calls and send 500,000 text messages during the campaign.

The county executive encouraged residents to answer the phone or door for these canvassers. She explained that they will always wear masks and maintain physical distancing. The helpers will don yellow safety vests and ID badges reading "Prince George’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Team."

Locals can schedule an immunization at mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine and covidvax.maryland.gov. Residents may also call 311 and press # to book their shot. Prince Georgians can additionally dial the library hotline, visit this website or use the new vaccine locator to find an available inoculation.

Prince George's still has one of the lowest inoculation rates in Maryland. The county is speeding up, however. Last week saw the most immunizations yet.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation 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.

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RELATED:

• Prince George's Has Best Vaccine Week Yet; Cases Continue To Fall
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Prince George's County
• MD Sees Biggest Drop Of COVID Cases, J&J Vaccine Usage Resumes
• Prince George's Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Partially Follows MD
• Vaccine Preregistration No Longer Needed At Prince George's Sites

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.