Parents Urged To Get COVID-19 Vaccine For Students: HoCo Leaders

Columbia MD

11 August, 2021

11:15 AM

Description

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — School starts soon in Howard County and officials are urging parents to get their eligible students vaccinated against COVID-19. To date, nearly 79 percent of Howard County residents ages 12 to 17 have received at least one vaccine dose and approximately 71 percent are fully vaccinated. The Health Department also unveiled public service announcements aimed at encouraging all eligible residents to get vaccinated. "I'm so proud and encouraged by the more than 86 percent of our residents who have already gotten at least one shot. Whatever your motivations or reasons – thank you," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "Now we need your help now to convince and support the remaining 38,000 of friends, family and neighbors who haven't gotten their vaccine, to get one. The more of our children, students and educators that head back to school buildings fully vaccinated, the safer in-person learning will be for everyone." Currently, 86.1 percent of Howard County residents age 12 and older have received at least one dose and 80.8 percent are fully vaccinated. Howard County continues to lead the state in vaccination uptake with nearly 70 percent of the entire population fully vaccinated. "As the Delta variant takes hold in Maryland, vaccination remains the most effective tool to combat the virus," Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said. "For those waiting for the right time to become vaccinated, now is the time. Delaying vaccination will only increase the risk of becoming ill, increase time away from work, increase time away from school and increase your chance of being hospitalized or dying. Becoming vaccinated also protects those in the community who are either unable to receive vaccine because of medical issues or are too young yet to receive the vaccine." The Howard County Public School System has implemented a mask mandate for all students and staff grades kindergarten through 12th for the upcoming school year. Howard Community College also is requiring masking on campus and in all school buildings for the upcoming fall semester. "In just under three weeks, our school doors will reopen, and we will welcome approximately 58,000 students back into our buildings, many of whom have not returned to their school since March 13, 2020," HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano said. "I have been very clear that our system's focus is on a return to normalized instruction and we will follow public health guidance to ensure we can remain open. I encourage all parents of students to strongly consider the vaccine for your child to help keep them in school and reduce the spread of COVID-19 within our school communities."