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90% of Maryland's front line hospital staff should have access to first dose of COVID-19 vaccine this week

vaccine
Posted at 1:19 PM, Dec 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-23 15:15:21-05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Moderna is officially on its way to Maryland, making it the second COVID-19 vaccine that will be distributed to the state's front line healthcare workers and long term care facilities.

Between Moderna and Pfizer the state will have 191,000 total doses to give out, covering 90% of front line hospital staff.

Next week another shipment is expected, that would cover the remaining workers.

Under this plan, health officials say every hospital in every region of the state will receive initial doses of the vaccine.

The amount they get is based on the number of high-risk staff they reported to the Maryland Hospital Association.

RELATED: Gov. Hogan shares Maryland's plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccine

CVS and Walgreens have been contracted to receive and disperse the vaccines to 1,775 nursing homes and assisted livings.

On Monday CVS said the process would begin Wednesday, and cover 108,724 patients who reside in those long term care centers.

The state has also launched an online dashboard keeps track of vaccination distribution.

Last week, WMAR-2 News showed several hospitals including University of Maryland, Johns Hopkinsand the Maryland VA Medical Center receiving Pfizer shipments and administering their first vaccination.