For the end user, Maryland’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is unnecessarily complicated, confusing and frustrating (”Baltimore will vaccinate 80% of residents against coronavirus by February 2022 if current pace holds,” Jan. 28). The state offers a website that merely lists vaccination providers and provides links to those sites and their phone numbers. Each provider then requires a separate application or inquiry. Some allow you to fill out and submit a form and then wait for them to invite you to schedule your vaccination. Others do not offer one-time registration and instead require you to keep checking back to see if appointments are available. Each county appears to function merely as another provider rather than as a screening or coordinating mechanism for that county.
The result is a free-for-all with each eligible person scrambling on his or her own (Black Friday style) for an opportunity to be vaccinated. There is no apparent coordination among providers and some people are better equipped to navigate this mess than others. For example, I have received three opportunities to schedule my first dose including two from the same provider. (No worries, I settled for one shot). Other folks with identical eligibility have received none.
What we need is a central state registry allowing eligible individuals to sign up once online or by phone. The database would be used by all vaccine providers in making appointments available in accordance with the state’s priority categories. It is not enough for state officials to complain about a shortage of vaccine which does not explain why Maryland lags behind so many other states in getting its residents vaccinated. The state government needs to get its act together and streamline the distribution of what is available in a user-friendly way that gets shots in arms more quickly and efficiently.
Michael Lee, Towson
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