COVID-19 Vaccine Update
UPDATE 10/22/21: Marylanders 18+ who meet specific criteria and received their second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 dose at least six months ago and Marylanders 18+ who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago are now eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.
Learn more about booster eligibility.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 16 and older. Emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine also remains in effect for individuals ages 12-15.
All Marylanders 12 and older are eligible for vaccination.
Schedule an appointment today with a health care professional near you.
Featured Content
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
If you recently tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibody treatment is not a cure, but it may lessen symptom severity.
Vaccines are here to help protect against serious illness from COVID-19.
All Marylanders 12 and older are now eligible for vaccination. Learn more about what locations are offering Pfizer and make an vaccination appointment for your eligible family members.
Trending Questions
I am over 65 years old, and I am not immunocompromised. Am I eligible to receive a booster shot? Find out the answer to this and other trending questions.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine allows you to get back to doing the things you love. It keeps you and your loved ones safe. Do it for them and for yourself.
MD COVID Alert
While vaccines are the best path forward to ending the pandemic, contact tracing is still important to protect the most vulnerable among us. Opt-in today to participate in protecting all Marylanders from COVID-19.
Should I be Tested?
Even if you are fully vaccinated, you should be tested if you have symptoms, or if you were in contact with someone who has the virus.
Contact Tracing
“I am grateful for the contact tracer from the health department who called me to check in, every single day I was in quarantine. We need to move past the fear and work together.”
-Todd Poorman, 41, Anne Arundel County
COVID-19 booster eligibility
Marylanders who received their second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 dose at least six months ago may now be eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. Based on the Oct. 21 CDC recommendations, all providers shall offer a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose to the following people:
- Marylanders ages 65 and older
- Marylanders ages 18 and older living in long-term care settings
- Marylanders ages 18-64 with underlying medical conditions
- Marylanders ages 18-64 working in settings that increase their risk for exposure to COVID-19:
- First responders (police officers, firefighters, EMT)
- Healthcare workers
- Congregate care staff
- Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
- Food service workers
- Agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
Marylanders who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are also recommended to get a booster, for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.
Any Marylander who presents to a provider that they are eligible for a booster dose is allowed to self-attest to eligibility. COVID-19 vaccine providers cannot turn away any individual who self-attests to eligibility for an additional dose or booster dose. Failure of an individual to “show proof” of eligibility may not be a reason that a provider does not administer an additional or booster dose.
Important info about COVID-19
What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive, you should self-isolate at home. You can be with others after:
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared; and
- At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication; and
- Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
Continue to practice good hygiene, including frequent and thorough hand washing, disinfecting “high-touch” surfaces, and frequently washing clothing and bedding. Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets. Practice physical distancing within the home and wear a mask around other people. Also, please answer the call or text from MD COVID or (240) 466-4488 to help Maryland contact tracers slow the spread of COVID-19.
What is a COVID-19 vaccine?
A COVID-vaccine is one way to prevent serious illness due to COVID-19. Vaccination causes your body to create antibodies without getting sick with the COVID-19 disease. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other experts will provide recommendations on priority groups and when groups should be vaccinated. Guidance on determining and providing the vaccine to priority groups will be based on the principles included in the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Interim Updated Planning Guidance on Allocating and Targeting Pandemic Influenza Vaccine During an Influenza Pandemic.
How do we know the COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA).
Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines will undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
Do the COVID-19 vaccines have any side effects?
After the COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. This is a normal sign that may indicate your body is building immunities to protect you from the virus. The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.
Learn more about what side effects to expect and get helpful tips on how to reduce pain and discomfort after your vaccination.
Is a COVID-19 vaccine necessary?
COVID-19 infections can be a minor hindrance or lead to severe disease or even death. There are many reasons to get vaccinated.
- Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.
- Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, known as immunity. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody response without having to experience sickness.
- Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
Looking for a vaccination site?
Schedule an appointment at a pharmacy, hospital or local health department near you.
CovidCONNECT
If you have recovered or are recovering from COVID-19, you can connect with others who have been through the same experience on CovidCONNECT.
CovidCONNECT is a free platform where you can share your recovery story, learn about research opportunities, find mental health resources and more. Register to participate today.
