Uber To Help Baltimore County With COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Using CARES Act funding, Baltimore County is improving access for people who are homebound or lack transportation to get coronavirus vaccines.

The Baltimore County health and fire departments will create mobile vaccination crews to send vaccines to those who are homebound and otherwise would not be able to get the COVID-19 shot.

For those who have scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointments but do not have transportation access, Baltimore County government is scheduling rides through Uber to get them there.

“Mobility and transportation barriers should never stand in the way of residents receiving this life-saving vaccine,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said in a statement announcing the Uber and mobile vaccination program. "Through these innovative efforts, Baltimore County will better serve all our residents."

Here's what to do:

• Have a COVID-19 vaccine appointment but no transportation? Call 311. CountyRide staff will schedule an Uber ride for the resident, who will get a ride home scheduled by staff at the clinic.
• Homebound? Residents certified homebound by their physician should complete Baltimore County’s vaccine registration, which allows them to indicate that they are homebound. In announcing the program Friday, county officials reported thousands already registered for the vaccine have indicated they are homebound. Since it will take time to reach everyone,officials ask people to be patient. County staff will call to schedule a time when nurses partnering with EMTs from the Baltimore County Fire Department can travel to residents’ homes to administer vaccines. The service is available only for residents who are truly homebound.

"As we continue our fight against COVID-19, we will continue looking for ways to increase access and ensure equity as we ensure we serve every eligible resident who wishes to receive a vaccine," Olszewski said.

More than 117,000 residents in Baltimore County — or about 14 percent — have gotten a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday, Feb. 26, officials reported.

Over 46,000 of those vaccines were given by the Baltimore County health department, and more than 66,000 residents have received a second dose.

The Baltimore County Department of Health is offering vaccine appointments to people in groups 1A and 1B in the state's vaccination distribution plan. All residents, regardless of their eligibility, are encouraged to register with Baltimore County to be notified when they are eligible to receive a vaccine and there are appointments available, officials say.