COVID-19 Vaccine
The following Marylanders are currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster:
- Marylanders 5-11 may receive a Pfizer-BioNTech monovalent booster dose at least 5 months after completing their Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech primary vaccine series. Marylanders 5-11 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should receive a Pfizer-BioNTech monovalent booster dose 3 months after completing their primary vaccine series
- Marylanders 12+ may receive a Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster dose if they have completed a primary vaccine series with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine or received the recommended booster at least 2 months ago
- Marylanders 18+ may receive a Moderna bivalent booster dose if they have completed a primary vaccine series with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine or received the recommended booster at least 2 months ago
All Marylanders 6 months and older are eligible for the COVID-19 primary vaccine series. Vaccinations are available through pediatricians and other physicians, hospitals, local health departments and pharmacies.
Find a vaccination clinic near you
The Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine for individuals ages 12 and older and full approval for the Moderna vaccine for ages 18 and older. Emergency use authorizations for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are in effect for individuals 6 months through 11 for Pfizer, and 6 months through 17 for Moderna. Emergency use authorizations for the newly updated Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster vaccines are in effect for Marylanders 12+ for Pfizer, and Marylanders 18+ for Moderna.
Emergency use authorization for the Novavax vaccine as a primary vaccination series is also in effect for individuals 12 and older. All Marylanders 6 months and older are eligible for initial COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccinations are available through pediatricians and other physicians, hospitals, local health departments and pharmacies.
Why should you get the vaccine?
What are the vaccines?
CDC has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines with a preference for people to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). Learn more.
| Vaccines | Status | Dosing | Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer | Original, monovalent vaccine has been approved for use as a primary series for ages 12+; authorized for emergency use for ages 6 months to 11 years as a primary series, and a single booster dose for ages 5-11;
Bivalent booster dose authorized for emergency use for ages 12+. |
Primary series: Two doses, delivered three weeks apart
Bivalent booster: single dose, 2 months after completing primary vaccine series or last monovalent booster received |
Injection-site pain, fatigue, headaches, chills |
| Moderna | Original, monovalent vaccine has been approved for use as a primary series for ages 18+; authorized for emergency use for ages 6 months to 17 years as a primary series;
Bivalent booster dose authorized for emergency use for ages 18+. |
Primary series: Two doses, delivered four weeks apart
Bivalent booster: single dose, 2 months after completing primary vaccine series or last monovalent booster received. |
Injection-site pain, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, chills |
| Johnson & Johnson | Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use for ages 18+ | One dose primary series | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain |
| Novavax | Vaccine has been authorized for emergency use as a primary series for ages 12+ | Two dose primary series, three weeks apart | Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain |
| AstraZeneca | Vaccine trials are ongoing | Two dose primary series, delivered four weeks apart | Fever, muscle aches, headaches, injection site pain |
Prevention from Covid (Pre-exposure treatment)
The best protection against severe illness from COVID is to be up-to-date on all recommended COVID vaccinations, including boosters, for your age group. However, patients who have certain medical conditions and/or are taking certain medications that reduce their ability to fight infections can take advantage of a long acting monoclonal antibody injection to avoid severe illness from Covid-19. This treatment must be used prior to exposure or diagnosis of COVID.
The FDA has issued an EUA for Evusheld (tixagevimab plus cilgavimab) as a medicine used in adults and children ages 12 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Evusheld consists of 2 monoclonal antibodies provided together to help prevent severe illness from COVID. A healthcare provider gives Evusheld as 2 separate consecutive intramuscular (IM) injections at a doctor’s office or healthcare facility.
If you have any of the medical conditions or take medications which cause immunosuppression, you may be considered eligible for this medication. You should talk to a healthcare provider to determine if preventive treatment for COVID is right for you.
Note: Evusheld is only authorized for people ages 12 and older who weigh at least 88 pounds. You also can’t be currently infected with COVID-19 or have a known recent exposure to the virus; that is, be in your isolation or quarantine periods.
Resources about the COVID vaccine
We are here to help you.
If you have questions or need help, operators are available to assist you.
Call 855-MD-GoVAX (855-634-6829)
Available resources will evolve as the Maryland vaccination effort moves forward.
Please check our resources page regularly for information and updates.
