Md. launches Vaccine Equity Operations Plan

MARYLAND – Maryland National Guard Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead announced the state’s Vaccine Equity Operations Plan. “This is a partner based effort with community based solutions. The process is a collaborative effort with federal and state government, Maryland Department of Health, local health departments, community organizations both public and private organizations,” said Gen. Birckhead.

The state’s Vaccine Equity Task Force will take proposals from the community and review how they can support those groups. Gen. Birckhead says this will be key because underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Historic data shows that vulnerable, underserved, and hard to reach communities face both structural and informational barriers to vaccine access. Growing disparities in these communities make it necessary to be intentional and concrete in steps that we’re going to take,” said Gen. Birckhead.

Gen. Birckhead says the first step of the plan will be to identify which communities need the most help. Then the state will work with the state department of health to make assessments and eventually establish those partnerships.