Vaccinations Open Up To Phase 1C In HoCo Starting March 22

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials intend to follow the expanded eligibility for vaccination laid out by Gov. Larry Hogan Thursday. The Howard County Health Department will begin scheduling vaccine appointments for all groups in Phase 1C starting March 22 and follow other recommendations for expanded eligibility as supply allows.

“Moving into the next vaccination phases will allow us to protect more members of our community,” Dr. Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, said. “We are hopeful that our future vaccine allotment will allow us to move forward with a timetable similar to what the Governor has suggested.”

All phases are eligible now to pre-register for vaccines. To pre-register with the Howard County Health Department visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6284. Residents can also pre-register with a state mass vaccination site at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine or by calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX.

“Each week we make steady progress in our vaccine distribution and we’re expecting an increase in supply by the end of this month, allowing us to expand to additional groups,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “We’re pleased the governor has laid out clearer expectations for Marylanders about when they will be eligible for vaccines. As supply allows, our Howard County Health Department will also open appointments to these additional groups."

Per the governor’s guidance, Phase 1C includes:

• Adults aged 65-74
• Essential healthcare workers not in Phase 1A
• Critical manufacturing workers
• U.S. Postal Service and mass public transit workers
• Veterinarian and support staff
• Clergy/other essential staff for houses of worship
• Food/agriculture production workers
• Grocery store and food bank workers
• Certain immunocompromised individuals

Beginning March 23, all residents ages 60 and older will be eligible.

Beginning March 30, all residents 16 and older who have underlying medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness will be eligible.

Beginning April 13, the following groups will be eligible:

• Residents ages 55+
• Workers in the following areas:

* Essential construction
* Food services
* Utilities
* Transportation
* Financial
* IT workers

Beginning April 27, all residents ages 16 and older will be eligible.