Mass Vaccination Site To Open At Montgomery College

GERMANTOWN, MD — After weeks of pressuring Maryland's health department, Montgomery County officials said Tuesday that they've secured a COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Montgomery College's Germantown campus.

An exact date for when the site will open is unclear, but officials hope to get it up and running in the coming weeks. The site is expected to administer about 3,000 doses per day.

"It's obviously good news for Montgomery County and is a recognition of the efforts of the county executive, the county council, and all our elected officials in really advocating for this site," Dr. Earl Stoddard, the county's head of emergency management, said.

Officials in Maryland's most populous jurisdiction have been pushing the state for weeks to open a mass vaccination site in the area. The hard-hit county has seen the most COVID-19-related deaths, and the second-highest number of cases, in the state.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said he would not commit to opening a mass vaccination site there until all other planned sites have opened.

To date, Maryland has opened four mass vaccination sites — one in Prince George's County, two in Baltimore City, and another in Charles County. Two other locations are set to open in Washington and Wicomico counties later this month.

Visibly and vocally upset, officials in Montgomery County criticized Hogan's plan, saying it largely ignored the needs of local residents.

Following weeks of back-and-forth, the state visited the Montgomery College site on Saturday.

This will be Maryland's seventh mass vaccination site — and the county's first. Unlike the others, the clinic at Montgomery College will not be completely run by the state.

"It will operate a bit differently than the other (mass vaccination sites) across the state, which are truly state-run. This is a case where it will be a partnership between the state, the county, Holy Cross (Hospital), and Montgomery College to build out this site," Stoddard said.

The state has launched a platform for Maryland residents to pre-register to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at mass vaccination sites.

Marylanders in Phase 1 eligible populations may pre-register online at covidvax.maryland.gov or by phone through the state's COVID-19 vaccination support center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).