Governor’s Briefing on COVID-19: May 12, 2021

• No need for panic-buying gas re: the Colonial Pipeline Hacking
• Making GREAT progress on COVID-19
  • As of today, MD has administered 5.3 million vaccines
  • 86% of 65+ Marylanders are vaccinated
  • 65.4% of 18+ Marylanders are vaccinated
  • Keeping up the keep health metrics, we are on track to reach 70% of adults vaccinated by Memorial Day
  • Equity Task Force has completed about 350 missions
  • Walk up or drive thru vaccines available, it has never been easier to find or get a vaccine
• Case rate per 100,000 has dropped 64% over the past four weeks to 8.5%
  • Lowest since September of 2020
  • Positivity rate at 2.74% from a peak of 9.43% in January 2021 and a high of 26.83% last year
  • COVID hospitalizations have dropped across the state
  • Down 60% since last year’s winter peak
• New actions TODAY:
  • Effective this Saturday, 5/15/2021, lifting all outdoor restrictions- entertainment, sports, etc
    • All restrictions lifted on indoor and outdoor dining
  • Cruise terminal reopening
    • CDC working to prepare cruises to return to business
  • ONLY REMAINING MANDATE: Indoor mask mandate
    • Will lift as soon as we reach the federal goal of 70% of adults getting the first vaccine shot
    • MD plan- everything normal by Memorial Day
    • 4.6% away from reaching this goal!
• Directed MD Dept. of Labor to begin process of reinstating Work Search Requirements
• FASTEST way to get rid of COVID is by getting vaccinated! CALL 1-55-MD-GOVAX, COVIDVAX.MARYLAND.GOV
• FDA has approved Pfizer vaccine for children 12-15
  • Final approval to come later today
  • Eligibility for adolescents begins tomorrow, 5/13/2021

Dr. Jinlene Chan, Deputy Secretary, Public Health Services

Speaking about pediatric vaccination effort for kids 12+:

• FDA approved expansion this past Monday for Pfizer
• Approved for safety and efficacy
• 100% efficacy in 2,000 children in trial
• Also showed robust antibody responses, similar to teenagers and young adults
• Similar side effects to the one known now (usually resolve within 2-3 days)
• CDC’s advisory committee voted this afternoon to recommend Pfizer be approved to be used in kids 12-15 in age
• Once CDC issues final approval, take your children and get them vaccinated!
• 11 mass vax sites that can vaccinate kids
• Expanding locations in physician practices that are willing to vaccinate minors (ie pediatrician offices)
• Minors will need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to be vaccinated
• We’ve done so well at vaccinating adults that now our attention shifts to children
• Have conversations with your children about getting vaccinated