ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to Merriweather concert attendees this season. The effort is a partnership between the Howard County Health Department and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS), which regularly staffs Merriweather concerts as EMS support. Beginning this Saturday July 3, HCDFRS’ Mobile Integrated Community Health team and Health Department nurses will be on site with all three COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
Howard County has made tremendous progress in vaccinating our residents, leading the state across demographics – but we’re not stopping until we’ve reached anyone who still wants or needs a vaccine. Merriweather attracts visitors of all ages, from all over our region, and this is a clear opportunity to ensure that we’re removing barriers and providing access to vaccine to more people. We know that a virus does not see borders, and the more we can help our region get vaccinated, the better off we all will be.
For the first clinic on July 3rd, vaccines will be located in the concession stand area of South Plaza. The Health Department will stock at minimum 100 doses per event.
“This valuable partnership between the Health Department and the MICH is one that has allowed Howard County to successfully vaccinate so many of our citizens,” said Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer. “Working together at Merriweather is yet another unique example of meeting people where they are and making it easy to get needed healthcare, like the COVID vaccine.”
“The MICH and the Howard County Health Department are continuously looking for new and innovative ways to ensure that everyone who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine has access to it,” said Fire Chief William Anuszewski. “We hope that having a presence at Merriweather will encourage concert-goers to take full advantage of this vaccination opportunity with ease.”
“Merriweather is so excited to be reopening this weekend,” said Jean Parker, Merriweather General Manager. “We are equally as thrilled to team together with the Howard County Health Department and Fire & Rescue providing easy access to vaccines while enjoying live music again!”
Howard County continues to lead Maryland in vaccination progress, with 65.1% of all residents fully vaccinated, and 76.9% of residents 12+ fully vaccinated. To date the Howard County Health Department and MICH have hosted 92 pop-up clinics throughout Howard County. The MICH team has administered 8719 vaccine doses. To find a vaccine clinic, or learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.