Prince George’s County officials, alarmed that as many as half of the county’s appointments for coronavirus vaccinations are being made by non-residents, now require a pre-registration form before being immunized.
County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced the new mandate Tuesday with the support of the county’s chief health officer, Dr. Ernest Carter.
“We’ve had some folks come from Montgomery County to get vaccinated here,” Carter said, WUSA-TV (Channel 9) reported. “It’s greater than 30 percent and less than 50 percent, that’s all I know.”
Carter said Maryland’s new website MarylandVAX.org is fueling the non-resident appointments. Concerns were raised Monday when the vaccination site at the Wayne Curry Sports and Learning Center in Landover had a high number of people from outside the county seeking the vaccine.
Carter said no one was turned away despite their residency and noted the vaccinations are paid for “by taxpayer dollars.”
State guidelines dictate that only people 75 and older in the 1B vaccination group are eligible for vaccinations at this time, WUSA reported.
Carter said non-county residents with appointments will be served up to Feb. 9. After that, only residents who have pre-registered will be vaccinated.
As of Wednesday, the county has 63,650 coronavirus cases and 1,115 virus-related deaths, according to county health department statistics.