ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced $164 million in hospital surge funding to support access to care amid high rates of respiratory illness in Maryland. The funding—alongside the governor’s recent initiatives to protect essential vaccine access amid federal policy changes—underscores the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to protecting the health care Marylanders rely on, especially during flu season.
“As cases of respiratory illnesses surge across Maryland, we must step up to ensure health care professionals have the resources they need to treat patients and that our people can receive the care they need,” said Gov. Moore. “At the same time, our administration will continue to protect access to lifesaving vaccines and make clear that public health decisions in Maryland are made by medical professionals and guided by proven evidence—not political decisions.”
The Health Services Cost Review Commission, an independent state agency that works to ensure access to high-value, affordable health care, approved the funding to assist hospitals that are strained by an influx of patients. The $164 million in funding—administered to Maryland hospitals facing the largest surge of flu cases and patient stays—will help cover increased operational costs, such as staffing, and provide greater budget flexibility to manage the high volume of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 cases. The funding announced today ranges from $49,000 to $32.8 million—supporting 25 Maryland hospitals in FY 2026.
As of January 14, the state has recorded 4,087 influenza hospitalizations, 976 RSV hospitalizations, and 569 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the 2025-2026 season.
“Vaccines continue to be the most effective way to protect against severe illness, including the several current circulating strains of the flu, which can be serious for anyone and especially dangerous for infants and older adults,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “Maryland public health officials will continue to use evidence-based guidance to be a trusted resource for people to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy during this respiratory virus season and beyond.”
Today’s announcement also reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and vaccine access. This month, Governor Moore announced the Vax Act of 2026 to establish independent authority for the Maryland secretary of health to issue immunization recommendations based on science and clinical guidance from trusted medical organizations. The legislation aims to decouple Maryland’s health standards from fluctuating federal policies and protect insurance coverage for essential vaccines, following recent efforts to discourage vaccine access and overhaul the vaccine schedule for children.
“Friends, as Chair of the Health Committee I want to thank the Governor for this initiative,” said Delegate Heather Bagnall. “This winter we have had an especially challenging season, with a confluence of RSV, Covid, and a particularly nasty flu strain over the holiday season, which is adding additional pressure on our hospitals, health systems, our workforce, schools, and Maryland families. Vaccination remains the safest, most effective effort to reduce severe illness, prevent hospitalization, protect our vulnerable populations such as newborns, seniors, and immunocompromised friends and family. As we know, unlike our childhood vaccines which can provide long-term protection, the flu vaccine is a yearly dose based on the best science and our understanding of the most likely strain to infect the general population. If you thought it was too late to get your flu shot, don’t worry, you’re right on time.”
“This year’s flu season arrived earlier and hit harder than expected, making it challenging for all Marylanders and also for hospitals and care providers,” said Maryland Hospital Association President and Chief Executive Officer Melony G. Griffith. “Hospitals remain committed to caring for our communities and we’re appreciative of the state’s partnership as we manage the surge and provide additional resources.”
“The Moore-Miller Administration's support for hospital surge funding is a critical step to ensure Marylanders continue to receive timely, high-quality care during a challenging respiratory illness season,” said University of Maryland Medical System President and Chief Executive Officer Mohan Suntha, MD. “Protecting public health takes all of us—state leaders, health care systems, clinicians, and communities working together—and this funding strengthens that partnership when it is needed most. I also want to thank our frontline nurses, providers and all of our team members whose tireless commitment, skill, and compassion continue to safeguard the health and well-being of patients across our state.”
To reduce barriers to care, the State continues to operate the Maryland Vaccine Program, which Governor Moore launched in November 2025. The program provides free recommended vaccines—including those for flu, COVID-19, and RSV—to uninsured and underinsured adults at local health departments. The program was made possible through $2.8 million allocated in partnership with the Maryland General Assembly.
The Maryland Department of Health has also taken other important steps to ensure broad vaccine access for Marylanders for the 2025-2026 respiratory season, including:
To help advance broad vaccine access across the state, Maryland last year joined the bipartisan Northeast Public Health Collaborative and the GovAct Public Health Alliance, partnering with other states and jurisdictions to dispel misinformation, develop recommendations based on scientific evidence, and ensure broad access to quality care and evidence-based guidance.
The Maryland Department of Health maintains a rigorous system for monitoring and coordinating the state’s response to the respiratory illness surge. The department regularly shares data updates, guidance, and recommendations with all Maryland hospitals, with public access to data available on the MDH Respiratory Illness Dashboard. The department also collaborates daily with the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems to monitor hospital bed capacity, and local health departments continue to work closely with both the Maryland Department of Health and their hospitals to identify and rapidly respond to community outbreaks.
Marylanders can find updated respiratory virus immunization recommendations at health.maryland.gov, as well as ways to obtain vaccines to prevent respiratory viruses such as RSV and COVID-19.
The Maryland Department of Health continues to encourage Marylanders to consult with a health care provider about the care that is best for them.