On February 8, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen talked with MACo members through a virtual town hall forum – one of the main topics was vaccine distribution.

The Senator updated the nearly 100 county elected officials and department leaders on the most recent COVID-19 federal relief package and efforts taken to secure more relief on the local level. He discussed how several MACo initiatives intersect with federal priorities, including public health funding and broadband access.

MACo members asked questions of the Senator, mostly centering on vaccine distribution, expressing concern over allocation of vaccine doses throughout the state. Many members thanked the Senator for the Maryland Congressional Delegation’s recent letter to Governor Hogan, in which the delegation urged Governor Hogan to “reform and improve vaccine distribution.” In response to county leaders, the Senator agreed that vaccine distribution at the state level could use a “course correction” to give more deference to local health departments rather than private providers and thanked the counties for the work they’ve doing on the frontlines of the pandemic.

MACo Members (county and Baltimore City elected officials and employees) who missed the discussion and would like to receive the recording should contact Allison Valliant.

Related Conduit Street coverage:

County Leaders Across MD: Step Up Vax Coordination and Communication