Congressman Brown: "True Equity Is Won Through Action"

Statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) released the following statement regarding Governor Larry Hogan's announced vaccine equity plan:

"Communities of color need to see real action from Governor Hogan and his administration to close the deeply concerning vaccine disparities in Maryland. The numbers speak for themselves, the current approach isn't working. While the Hogan administration has highly touted this equity plan, it still does not implement many of the changes demanded by localities serving Black, Latino, low-income and other underserved populations in our state. Listening to our communities is important, but true equity is won through action.

"To that end, there are a number of steps local leaders have proposed to ensure communities of color in Maryland are not left behind in our vaccination efforts. We must better reserve appointment times at the Six Flags mass vaccination site specifically for Prince George's County residents to ensure supplies allocated to the county are actually getting into the arms of those who live there. The hardest hit zip codes in our state and local health departments with the longest waitlists must be prioritized for vaccine appointments and allotments in order to defeat this virus. This includes the establishment of a dedicated, accessible mass vaccination site in Montgomery County to reduce pressure on the current Six Flags site.

"Months now into our state's vaccination strategy, Maryland still lacks a simple, one-stop portal form for every resident. The disorganized and decentralized process is a barrier for vaccine equity and continues to put vulnerable Marylanders at a default disadvantage.

"Issues with access to health care in underserved communities were well known prior to the beginning of this pandemic and subsequent vaccine rollout. Local leaders have consistently stressed the need for the state to address these health disparities. We cannot afford to wait, we communities of color need to see immediate action."

White Marylanders have received more than four times as many doses of coronavirus vaccine as Black residents, state data shows. Black Marylanders have received only 16 percent of first doses, yet account for approximately 35 percent of COVID-19 deaths and make up 31 percent of Maryland's population. Only around 4% of inoculations have gone to Latinos.

Source