All three COVID-19 booster vaccines are now approved and available in the county for eligible groups, officials with the Department of Health and Human Services announced.
The eligibility guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now include certain people who have previously received the Moderna vaccine, and most people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Those eligible for booster doses can get vaccinated at pharmacies, private providers, or at county and other health care-sponsored clinics.
“Eligible individuals who would like a specific vaccine as their booster dose should check with the vaccination site before making an appointment to ensure availability,” according to the announcement.
“We know that the information can be confusing to residents, because there are multiple steps to the approval process for the vaccines, as well as differing eligibility criteria depending on which vaccine is recommended,” acting health officer Dr. James Bridgers said in a press release, “and that is why we ask everyone to review the information carefully and ask their doctor or health provider if they have questions about their specific medical situation.”
Eligibility for those who received two doses of the Moderna vaccine:
- Anyone 65 years and older, or
- Adults 18 and older who are at high risk of severe illness because of an underlying condition, or
- Adults 18 and older who are at risk of illness because of their job, or
- Adults 18 and older who live in an institutional setting, and
- Received their second dose of the vaccine at least six months ago.
Eligibility for those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
- Anyone 18 years and older, and
- Received their Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago.
Recipients will be asked to self-certify their eligibility status, and those eligible for a booster shot are authorized to receive any of the available COVID-19 vaccines as their booster.
Appointments for county-operated and many private providers can be made on the Maryland Department of Health’s PrepMod scheduling platform.
Anyone who needs help to make an appointment at a county-operated vaccination site, please call the COVID-19 call center at 240-777-2982 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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