“CalvertHealth is committed
to partnering with the Calvert
County Health Department to
support the local vaccination
effort,” said Chief Operating
Officer Tony Bladen. “We believe
the COVID-19 vaccine is a giant
step to help move our community
forward. It is also very important
to get the word out about its
safety and effectiveness.”
Bladen went on to add, “We are trying to help educate the
community on the benefits of receiving the vaccine. Our
goal is to encourage as many people as we can to get it…
recognizing this is a personal decision for everyone.”
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Paul Pomilla of
Calvert Internal Medicine Group addresses many of the
concerns about the vaccine in a special column on page
5. Dr. Pomilla also joined CalvertHealth Pharmacist Kara
Harrer, PharmD to answer frequently asked questions in
an educational video available for viewing by scanning the
code at the top of page 5.
Despite limited supply, Calvert County moved quickly
to administer the doses received early on. According to
the Maryland Department of Statistics as of Feb. 7, Calvert
County has the fifth highest rate of vaccination among
Maryland’s 24 counties.
Additionally, 100 percent of the vaccines received by
the Calvert County Health Department (CCHD) have been
administered. The Feb. 7 report showed 10,566 county
residents had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Outreach Prioritizes High-Risk Residents
Calvert County Health Officer Dr. Laurence Polsky told the county
commissioners in January, “We’re going to continue to expedite this as
best we can. It is our goal to administer the doses we receive as quickly
as we reasonably can.”
Dr. Polsky said the first 100 doses were administered within four
hours. In late December, another 800 doses were administered within 36
hours to first responders and other healthcare workers.
“This is a work in progress,” Dr. Polsky told the commissioners at
the Jan. 5 briefing. “We don’t know from week to week when we will
receive our next shipment of the vaccine and how many doses we’ll
receive. Planning has been difficult to put it mildly.”
He went on to add, “We’re working with the primary care providers
across the county to help identify those who are in the greatest medical
need. I know there has been frustration but everything is being done in
good faith.”
In addition to the 4,000 healthcare workers, first responders and
classroom educators in Calvert who have been prioritized for vaccination
in Phase 1A and 1B, there are 15,000 seniors who live in the county.
Health Department Spearheads Coordination
In spite of these challenges, Dr. Polsky said the health department has
been working seven days a week to coordinate and administer vaccine
doses since the first shipment was received with less than 24 hours notice
on Dec. 17.
According to Dr. Polsky, the health department regularly discusses
policies and planning with a group of more than 40 local doctors, nurse
practitioners and hospital administrators to ensure the most efficient
and fair process possible given the limitations of the resources and the
urgency of the situation.
On Jan. 18, Calvert County opened its online pre-registration portal
for the COVID-19 vaccine at www.calvertcountymd.gov/vaccine. Already,
some 27,000 residents have signed up. For individuals unable to register
online, you may call 410.535.0218. Residents are required to pre-register
to be vaccinated at the CCHD drive-thru location at the Industrial Park
in Barstow. For the most up-to-date information on where you can get
vaccinated, go to:
covidlink.maryland.gov.
A coordinated effort between the local office on aging, health
department and CHMC has led to a higher percentage of vaccines going
to seniors in Calvert than elsewhere in Maryland. This will continue to
be a priority. The recent approval of a third vaccine should speed the
pace of reaching those who are still in need of inoculation.