How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Maryland

Silver Spring MD

25 February, 2021

8:00 AM

Description

MARYLAND — If you're frustrated trying to figure out where and when you can get the coronavirus vaccine in Maryland, you're not alone. For weeks, local and state officials have wrestled with a short supply of the COVID-19 vaccines, and Marylanders have grown increasingly impatient with the vaccination process. The state receives its supply from the federal government. At this time, the federal government is giving Maryland about 12,000 doses per day. Demand continues to outstrip supply, making it very difficult for eligible residents to schedule a vaccine appointment. For many, the signup process itself is confusing. How can I schedule an appointment? Am I even eligible to receive a shot yet? If so, where can I get it? To address these questions — and help clear up confusion about the vaccine — Patch has created this guide. It provides a rundown of the state's inoculation plan, as well as links to vaccination bookings. The guide will be updated as new information becomes available. Know Your Priority Group Before we dive into how to get the COVID-19 vaccine, it's important to know who is first in line to receive the shot. The state of Maryland has broken down its vaccination plan into five phases: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, and 3. Health care workers, residents and staff of nursing homes, and first responders were among the first to be inoculated. Next came Marylanders age 75 and older, those in group homes or other congregate living facilities, school staff, child care providers, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Maryland is currently in Phase 1C of its vaccination plan, which includes: Adults 65 years and olderEssential workers in lab servicesFood/agriculture productionU.S. Postal ServicePublic mass transitGrocery store employeesCancer patients in active treatmentIndividuals currently being treated in a hospital and diagnosed with COPD, diabetes, and sickle cell diseaseVeterinarians and support staff (A more comprehensive list of eligible residents can be found here). Ways to Register for a Vaccine Vaccinations are being offered through the county, the state, and multiple hospitals. Through Your County While the state is in Phase 1C, some jurisdictions are playing catch-up. So if want to get a vaccine through your county's health department, make sure you know what phase the jurisdiction is in. You'll need to fill out a vaccine interest or preregistration form before you get a shot. They can be found on your jurisdiction's coronavirus website (links also provided below). Note: Completing the form does not make you a vaccine appointment. Your local health department will send you more instructions when an appointment is available. Allegany County Health Department: (301) 759-5000 Anne Arundel County Health Department: (410) 222-7095After Hours: (443) 481-3140Email: [email protected] Hotline: (410) 222-7256Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sun.Seniors Needing Help to Sign Up For Vaccine: (410) 222-3663Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Baltimore City Health Department: (410) 396-3100Seniors Needing Help to Sign Up For Vaccine: (410) 396-2273Hours are M-F between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Baltimore County Health Department: (410) 887-2243COVID-19 Hotline: (410) 887-3816Hours are M-Sat from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sun. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Help Requesting Vaccine Appointment: Dial 3-1-1 or call the COVID-19 Hotline Calvert County Health Department: (410) 535-5400COVID-19 Help Line: (410) 535-5400 ext. 334Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Need Help Preregistering: (410) 535-0218Hours are M-F from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Caroline County Health Department: (410) 479-8000COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center: (410) 479-5880Hours are from M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carroll County Health Department: (410) 876-2152Help Completing Interest Form: (410) 876-4848Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cecil County Health Department: (410) 996-5550Those Without Internet Access: (410) 996-1005Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Charles County Health Department: (301) 609-6900Weekday COVID-19 Call Center: (301) 609-6717Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Weekend COVID-19 Call Center: (301) 609-6717Hours are Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dorchester County Health Department: (410) 228-3223; call 2-1-1 after hoursEmail: [email protected] Harford County Health Department: (410) 838-1500; press option 4For questions and help filling out interest form Howard County Health Department: (410) 313-6300COVID-19 Information Line: (410) 313-6284Hours are M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Frederick County Health Department: (301) 600-1029; press 8 for current info about vaccination processGeneral COVID-19 Questions: (866) 411-6803 connects you to local 2-1-1 centerTrouble Filling out Vaccine Interest Form: (301) 600-7900Text FredCoVID19 to 888777 or register at Alert Frederick's website to receive COVID-19 updates Garrett County Health Department: (301) 334-7777COVID-19 Hotline: (301) 334-7698Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day Kent County Health Department: (410) 778-1350 Montgomery County Health Department: (240) 777-1755Help With Preregistration Form: (240) 777-2982Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day Prince George's County Health Department: (301) 883-7879After Hours: depends on need; phone numbers posted hereCOVID-19 Hotline: None. Call the state hotlineHours are M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Trouble Accessing Internet or Using Technology: Call 311#Hours are M-F from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Queen Anne's County Health Department: (443) 262-9909For assistance with verifying status on list, scheduling an appointment, or other vaccine questionsHours are M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Somerset County Health Department: (443) 523-1700 COVID-19 Hotline: (443) 523-1920Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. St. Mary's County Health Department: (301) 475-4330 Talbot County Health Department: (410) 819-5600Vaccine Call Center: (410) 819-5641Hours are M-F from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Washington County Health Department: (240) 313-3200Meritus Health: (301) 790-9170Wicomico County Health Department: (410) 749-1244Worcester County Health Department: (410) 632-1100COVID-19 Help Line: (410) 632-1100; option 8Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Through the State A number of pharmacies — including Giant, Rite Aid, Safeway, and Martin's — have partnered with the state to administer vaccines. CVSGiant FoodWalgreensSafewayMartin's With the help of a $219 million FEMA grant, the state is also setting up six mass vaccination sites on the Eastern Shore, as well as in Western and Southern Maryland. Here are the mass vaccination sites currently open around Maryland: Six Flags America, Prince George's CountyM&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore CityBaltimore Convention Center, Baltimore City You can sign up for an appointment by visiting the state's website. Enter your address, ZIP code, or location in the box provided to find a vaccination clinic near you. For updates on mass vaccination sites, text #MDREADY to 898-211. You can also call the COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829). Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The center is specifically designed to help residents without Internet access. Through Hospitals A number of hospitals are offering vaccines. They include: Holy Cross HealthMedStar HealthJohns Hopkins MedicineAdventist HealthcareUniversity of Maryland Upper Chesapeake HealthUniversity of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center More information can be found on the hospitals' websites. Moderna vs. Pfizer; Johnson & Johnson In short: the vaccines are more alike than they are different. They both deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) — a genetic recipe that teaches your body how to build the spike protein found on the surface of the coronavirus. If the real virus enters the body, your immune system will recognize it and know how to fight it. Moderna and Pfizer's vaccines require two shots. The difference: Pfizer's vaccine must be stored in ultra-low temperature freezers. Moderna's vaccine needs to be frozen, too — just not at minus 70 degrees Celcius. Both drug companies claim their vaccine candidate is highly effective. Moderna says its vaccine has an efficacy rate of 94.1 percent, while Pfizer reports its vaccine has an efficacy rate of 95 percent. No serious side effects were reported. Some mild side effects that were reported in clinical trials include muscle and joint pain, fatigue, chills, fever, and headaches. Moderna's vaccine is for people 18 years old and up. Pfizer's vaccine is authorized for people 16 and older. The Food and Drug Administration's vaccine advisory committee will assess the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine on Friday, Feb. 26. Leaders expect that the vaccine will be made available in a matter of days. Beware of COVID-19 Scams There have been "increased reports" of scammers luring people into sharing their personal information for a vaccine appointment, according to Gov. Larry Hogan. He said the fraudsters pretend to represent a local health department and ask residents for their credit card or Social Security number. Some even try to sell residents a vaccine. "I want to make this very clear. No one can sell you a vaccine. No one can charge you for a vaccine," Hogan said. "It is free. No insurance information is required and no Social Security information is required." Residents can verify information about all authorized providers at http://covidvax.maryland.gov/. "If you see something that doesn't look right or sound right to you — if you suspect any type of fraudulent activity — we ask that you immediately report it to law enforcement," Hogan said. Anyone who attempts to prey on innocent people in this life-and-death crisis will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."