December 11th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

UPMC Western Maryland President Barry Ronan has issued the following statement regarding the state's plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine:

"UPMC Western Maryland was one of 22 Maryland hospitals omitted from receiving the COVID vaccine in the first round of allocation. We have been assured that we will be a priority in the second distribution which is expected to be days later. UPMC Western Maryland is eager to begin vaccinating our frontline health care workers as soon as we receive the first doses as directed by the state. UPMC has a capable team coordinating the logistics of vaccine receiving, storage, distribution, and immunization. We are highly proficient at these processes, particularly given our annual influenza vaccination program. For COVID-19, we are ready."