Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces new booster programs, won't run for U.S. Senate

Gov. Larry Hogan announces new booster programs for Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that 95% of adults in Maryland have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and says the state will be launching new programs to get remaining Marylanders boosted.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Governor Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that 95% of adults in Maryland have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and says the state will be launching new programs to get remaining Marylanders boosted.

The numbers come from official CDC data.

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"While we will continue to work to reach that last 5% of adults, we are just as focused on getting more Marylanders boosted to maximize protection against the virus and its variants," Governor Hogan said in a statement.

Maryland has administered more than 11.1 million COVID-19 vaccines -- including nearly 2.1 million booster shots.

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At a press conference on Tuesday, Hogan announced a new booster action plan to reach out to all Marylanders about booster appointment availability and booster eligibility.

In addition to the 539 booster clinics across the state, Maryland will now start offering booster shots at many hospital-based testing sites.

Hogan also announced a $2 million ‘VaxCash 2.0’ promotion where the Maryland Lottery will randomly pick and award one boosted Marylander each week for 12 straight weeks.

The program will kick off with an initial $500,000 drawing on Tuesday, Feb. 15. Marylanders who have already gotten the booster or who will get it by next Monday will automatically be eligible to win that $500,000 prize.

After the initial drawing, winners will be selected each week for $50,000 prizes. In week 12, the grand prize winner will receive $1 million.

To be eligible to win, you must be 18 and older, a Maryland resident and have received all of your shots, primary doses and booster, in the state of Maryland.

Gov. Hogan also confirmed at the press conference that he would not be running for the U.S. Senate. He said he was flattered to be approached with the idea, but he is focused on continuing his term as governor until January 2023.

The state is reporting substantial declines in all key health metrics, according to Hogan. Hospitalizations have dropped to 1,111 since last month’s high of nearly 3,500 for an overall decline of 67%. The COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped to 5.81% after peaking at nearly 30% last month for a decline of 80%.

Anyone who needs a vaccine can visit covidvax.maryland.gov online or call 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

The governor has declared Feb. 7 - 13 Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week in Maryland.