Maryland Department of Health Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. visits Wicomico Civic Center mass vaccination site, administers COVID-19 vaccinations to Marylanders

March 31, 2021

Media Contacts:

Deidre McCabe, Director, Office of Communications, Maryland Department of Health, 410-767-3536

Charlie Gischlar, Deputy Director, Media Relations, Maryland Department of Health, 443-463-7234

Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. visits Wicomico Civic Center mass vaccination site, administers COVID-19 vaccinations to Marylanders

Baltimore, MD – United States Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., a board-certified anesthesiologist, today visited the Wicomico Civic Center mass vaccination site in Salisbury, MD to administer COVID-19 vacations.

Congressman Harris administered close to 40 doses of COVID-19 vaccines during his six-hour shift at the site. A total of nearly 1,000 Marylanders were scheduled to receive vaccine doses at the site today.

“It was great to join the hard-working and dedicated staff administering COVID vaccines at the Wicomico Civic Center today,” said Harris. “Thanks to all of them for their efforts. For everyone on the Shore and across Maryland: Please get pre-registered online or over the phone, as more and more vaccines are available for distribution each day.”

“Our state is now averaging over 55,000 vaccinations a day,” said Acting Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “Mass vaccination sites like the Wicomico Civic Center are central pieces of our statewide vaccination-site infrastructure and critically important to our ability to vaccinate Marylanders efficiently.”

The Wicomico Civic Center is one of five state-supported mass vaccination sites currently open throughout Maryland. An additional six state-supported mass vaccination sites are scheduled to open across the state in the coming weeks.

Brenan Richards, who has family in the area and made a nearly two-hour drive across the Bay Bridge, was one of the patients vaccinated by Congressman Harris.

“I am so relieved,” said Richards. “I feel so excited and so grateful for science and for all the healthcare workers and all the government officials that made this possible. It’s really exciting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

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United States Congressman Andy Harris administers a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Wicomico Civic Center. Congressman Harris administered nearly 40 shots during his six-hour shift today.

Salisbury residents Jaquetta and Kevin Smith were also among those vaccinated by Congressman Harris during their visit today. “I felt like it was important to get the vaccination,” said Kevin. “It’s really about ensuring we do our part to keep people safe -- to keep ourselves safe.”

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Salisbury resident Jaquetta Smith received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today from United States Congressman Andy Harris at the Wicomico Civic Center mass vaccination site.

All Phase 1-, 2A-, and 2B-eligible populations can now pre-register for an appointment at a mass vaccination site by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.