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 older
Essential workers in lab services
Food/agriculture production
U.S. Postal Service
Public mass transit
Grocery store employees
Cancer patients in active treatment
Individuals currently being treated in a hospital and diagnosed with COPD, diabetes, and sickle cell disease
Veterinarians 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) 222-7095
After Hours: (443) 481-3140
Email: covid19info@aacounty.org
COVID-19 Hotline: (410) 222-7256
Hours 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) 222-3663
Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Baltimore City
Health Department: (410) 396-3100
Seniors Needing Help to Sign Up For Vaccine: (410) 396-2273
Hours are M-F between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Baltimore County
Health Department: (410) 887-2243
COVID-19 Hotline: (410) 887-3816
Hours 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) 535-5400
COVID-19 Help Line: (410) 535-5400 ext. 334
Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Need Help Preregistering: (410) 535-0218
Hours are M-F from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Caroline County
Health Department: (410) 479-8000
COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center: (410) 479-5880
Hours are from M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carroll County
Health Department: (410) 876-2152
Help Completing Interest Form: (410) 876-4848
Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cecil County
Health Department: (410) 996-5550
Those Without Internet Access: (410) 996-1005
Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Charles County
Health Department: (301) 609-6900
Weekday COVID-19 Call Center: (301) 609-6717
Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekend COVID-19 Call Center: (301) 609-6717
Hours are Sat.-Sun. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dorchester County
Health Department: (410) 228-3223; call 2-1-1 after hours
Email: MDH.DorchesterCOVID-19@maryland.gov
Harford County
Health Department: (410) 838-1500; press option 4
For questions and help filling out interest form
Howard County
Health Department: (410) 313-6300
COVID-19 Information Line: (410) 313-6284
Hours 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 process
General COVID-19 Questions: (866) 411-6803 connects you to local 2-1-1 center
Trouble Filling out Vaccine Interest Form: (301) 600-7900
Text FredCoVID19 to 888777 or register at Alert Frederick’s website to receive COVID-19 updates
Garrett County
Health Department: (301) 334-7777
COVID-19 Hotline: (301) 334-7698
Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
Kent County
Health Department: (410) 778-1350
Montgomery County
Health Department: (240) 777-1755
Help With Preregistration Form: (240) 777-2982
Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
Prince George’s County
Health Department: (301) 883-7879
After Hours: depends on need; phone numbers posted here
COVID-19 Hotline: None. Call the state hotline
Hours 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) 262-9909
For assistance with verifying status on list, scheduling an appointment, or other vaccine questions
Hours are M-F from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Somerset County
Health Department: (443) 523-1700
COVID-19 Hotline: (443) 523-1920
Hours 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) 819-5600
Vaccine Call Center: (410) 819-5641
Hours are M-F from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Washington County
Health Department: (240) 313-3200
Meritus Health: (301) 790-9170
Wicomico County
Health Department: (410) 749-1244
Worcester County
Health Department: (410) 632-1100
COVID-19 Help Line: (410) 632-1100; option 8
Hours 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.
CVS
Giant Food
Walgreens
Safeway
Martin’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 County
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore City
Baltimore 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 Health
MedStar Health
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Adventist Healthcare
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health
University 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. Cold Jet Dry Ice in Sydney professionals state that these vaccines need specialist dry ice boxes for transportation as they’re one of the only ways to keep them at the required temperature.
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.”
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