BALTIMORE (WJZ) – Vendors across Maryland deliver an average of 27,000 coronavirus vaccinations daily.
But seniors have trouble signing up.
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With key metrics like the state's positivity rate and hospital stays on the decline, the challenge now is to get the vaccine to everyone who wants you.
Governor Larry Hogan said Sunday hospital stays had fallen below 1,000 for the first time since mid-November.
While the nationwide positivity rate approaches 4% for seven days, Hogan emphasized that the daily positivity rate is now 2.5% – its lowest level since mid-October.
"Things are getting better every day," said Dr. Jonathan Thierman of LifeBridge Hospital.
Dr. Thierman said the key is building adequate immunity in the population.
"We are vaccinated about 1.6 million a day, but if we all took off the masks and took the plane tomorrow, the disease would spread faster than we humans can vaccinate," said Dr. Thierman.
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Baltimore ministers and medical professionals gathered on Sunday to announce a new instrument for seniors.
Anyone 80 or older can now call or text an unofficial COVID vaccine hotline. The number is 410-929-6024. Volunteers will help you register, make an appointment and even coordinate the trip.
"Our concept is to have a guide or a coach so they don't talk to 10 different people," said Dr. Daniel Howard, family doctor.
It also aims to address inequalities in the distribution of vaccines. Only five percent of Baltimore City's black residents have received a first dose.
Dr. Marvin Cheatham is a member of the Matthew Henson Neighborhood Association.
"It's not that we don't have people interested, we have people who don't have access to it. We want to provide access to it," said Dr Cheatham.
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Dr. Thierman said he noticed that the supply of vaccines to hospitals was gradually increasing. He hopes there will be a huge surge after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved.
