Vaccines Open To Anne Arundel Residents With These Conditions

Annapolis MD

31 March, 2021

4:52 PM

Description

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County advanced to stage 2B of its coronavirus vaccination plan on Monday. Residents 16 and up who have a qualifying medical condition or a disability can now get the shot at state, county or private clinics. This expansion came after President Joe Biden announced that immunization shipments would start to grow this week. Biden's forecast held true in Anne Arundel County, where the local health department is slated to collect 6,050 doses this week. That's 1,650 more than the week before. "The only thing that can hold us back now is ourselves," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a newsletter. "Vaccines don't work when people don't step up and schedule appointments." Nearly 16 percent of the county is fully vaccinated, and almost 29 percent has gotten at least one dose. Pittman projected that two-thirds of Anne Arundel residents will get the shot by the end of April. There is still a backlog of locals preregistered for inoculations with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health, however. Pittman reported that this many residents are still signed up in each phase: 1A: 3,0271B: 11,563 1C: 15,9162: 27,9283: 13,669 With numbers starting to climb again, Pittman is eager to push through this list as soon as possible. "Case rates are rising," he warned. "A fourth surge is possible when and where people refuse to wear masks and ignore distancing guidelines." Who Is Eligible? In the accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, locals experiencing these health conditions are now eligible for the immunization: CancerChronic kidney diseaseChronic lung diseases (Including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension)Dementia or other neurological conditionsDiabetes (Type 1 or type 2)Down syndromeHeart conditions (Including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies and hypertension)HIVImmunocompromised state Liver diseaseObesity and overweightPregnancy (There is limited research on the inoculation's effect on people who are pregnant, but the existing data suggest there is a low risk of complications. The CDC recommends consulting with a doctor before getting the vaccine. More information is available here.)Sickle cell disease or thalassemiaSmoking (Both current and former smokers are eligible.)Solid organ or blood stem cell transplantStroke or cerebrovascular diseaseSubstance use disorders These conditions all increase the likelihood of severe illness from COVID-19. Click here to learn more. Residents with disabilities who get any of these benefits are also eligible for the vaccine: Supplemental Security IncomeSocial Security Disability InsuranceMaryland Medicaid Employed Individuals with Disabilities incentivesMaryland Medicaid Rare and Expensive Case Management servicesTemporary Disability Assistance Program benefitsLong-term services and supports through the State of Maryland's Medicaid waiver and state plan Next Up Essential workers plus everybody 55 and older will be eligible on April 13 in phase 2C. Anne Arundel County will open the immunization to all residents 16 and up on April 27 as part of stage 3. Coronavirus Vaccine Resources To see when you'll be eligible for the coronavirus inoculation, read Patch's explainer. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot. Catch up on the latest coronavirus infection and vaccination metrics in Anne Arundel County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts. RELATED: Vaccine Rollout Improves, But Cases Continue Rise In Anne ArundelCoronavirus Vaccine: When You'll Be Eligible In Anne ArundelHow To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Anne Arundel CountyMass Vaccination Site Anticipated; Navy Stadium SuggestedNaval Academy Eases Restrictions: Report Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.