MedStar Health to Vaccinate Backstretch Racing Employees

Baltimore, MD — Vaccination teams from MedStar Health, the official medical provider of Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, will be at Pimlico and Laurel Park race tracks Monday, May 10^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to administer first found COVID-19 vaccinations to members of the backstretch community.

Backstretch refers to trainers, exercise riders, jockeys, grooms, farriers, veterinarians, muckers, jockey agents and other positions in the horse racing industry.

The vaccines are provided by the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force which collaborates with healthcare providers around the state to avail COVID-19 vaccines to the underserved, vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. 

“The combined effort by Maryland Racing, the Maryland Department of Health, the Vaccine Equity Task Force and MedStar Health have ensured much needed services for a hard-working community that is often overlooked. With Preakness coming up it’s a wonderful reminder that horse racing is a big part of Maryland, our history and community.  The horsemen are the backbone of the industry and should have access to the same healthcare that everyone else receives. There is a huge need for the vaccine protection,” said Kelly Ryan, DO, and a physician leader on the MedStar Health Horsemen’s Health team.  

“MedStar Health is proud to extend our mobile vaccination efforts and partner with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horseman Association and Maryland Jockey Club,” said Ryan Moran, DrPH, MHSA, assistant vice-president, Care Transformation for the Baltimore region of MedStar Health.

The opportunity to bring vaccines on-site to the employees here speaks to this collaborative commitment to remove every single barrier for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.”

The vaccination team at Laurel Park Monday will be in the MedStar Health Mobile Primary Care Center.