Maryland seniors are at the highest risk for contracting and dying of Covid-19, and are steadfastly attempting to obtain vaccinations. Medical providers are not giving shots directly so many seniors call their doctors’ offices and fail to get any closer to acquiring an appointment for a vaccine.
Many seniors spend considerable time searching a myriad of websites in hopes of booking appointments. They try websites for local pharmacies, hospitals, mass vaccination sites and local health departments. While we know there are limited supplies of vaccines available, the real issue is that there is not enough information provided on how to gain access.
Many seniors are very confused about the process and lack access to necessary technology or the skills needed to use the technology for web-based appointment sign up. Unfortunately, attempting to use the old-fashioned method of picking up the telephone is also a barrier. Phone lines are jammed and hotlines do not have enough staff available to field the deluge of calls. This leaves many seniors sitting on hold for hours with little results in obtaining an appointment.
Even those who are able to get an appointment may struggle with transportation, standing in long lines in cold weather and have difficulty during the process physically due to medical conditions and poor physical health. Once the issue of vaccine refrigeration requirements is resolved, hopefully vaccines will be able to be transported to homebound seniors, but as of yet that is not the case.
Maryland’s state health department has its own phone line meant to help seniors or others without reliable internet access to register for appointments at Maryland’s mass vaccination sites at the Baltimore Convention Center and Six Flags America (1-855-634-6829). The city of Baltimore has one too, specifically for vaccination clinics (410-396-2273).
In an effort to provide additional assistance, several Baltimore private volunteers created an unofficial hotline designed to complement the efforts of the health department. The unofficial hotline will be manned by volunteers who will help with booking appointments as well as arranging transportation to vaccine clinics.
You can call the unofficial hotline at (410-929-6024). The hotline will accept messages 24 hours a day and aim to call back any Baltimore resident over 80 years old within 12 hours. The volunteers can also be reached via email at unofficial.vaccine.hotline@gmail.com.
At Stouffer Legal we care about our seniors and aim to provide information that will assist. To learn more about our elder law practice that encompasses long-term care planning and comprehensive estate planning as well as probate and estate administration, contact us by emailing office@stoufferlegal.com.
