Health & Fitness
How To Get The Coronavirus Vaccine In Maryland
Struggling to figure out where and when you can get the coronavirus vaccine in Maryland? Patch has some answers.
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.
Find out what's happening in Silver Springfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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?
Find out what's happening in Silver Springfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 multiple phases: 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 2C, 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.
In early April, the state moved into Phase 3 of its vaccination plan. That means all Marylanders aged 16 and above can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ways to Register for a Vaccine
Vaccinations are being offered through the county, the state, and multiple hospitals.
Through Your County
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.
- Health Department: (301) 759-5000
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Health Department: (410) 876-2152
- Help Completing Interest Form: (410) 876-4848
- Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Health Department: (410) 996-5550
- Those Without Internet Access: (410) 996-1005
- Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 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.
- Health Department: (410) 228-3223; call 2-1-1 after hours
- Health Department: (410) 838-1500; press option 4
- For questions and help filling out interest form
- 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.
- 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
- Health Department: (301) 334-7777
- COVID-19 Hotline: (301) 334-7698
- Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day
- Health Department: (410) 778-1350
- Health Department: (240) 777-1755
- Help With Preregistration Form: (240) 777-2982
- Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
- 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.
- 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.
- Health Department: (443) 523-1700
- COVID-19 Hotline: (443) 523-1920
- Hours are M-F from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Health Department: (301) 475-4330
- Health Department: (410) 819-5600
- Vaccine Call Center: (410) 819-5641
- Hours are M-F from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Health Department: (240) 313-3200
- Meritus Health: (301) 790-9170
- Health Department: (410) 749-1244
- 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.
The state also has 12 mass vaccination sites available for pre-registration. Seven more are set to open this month.
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
- Montgomery College's Germantown campus, Montgomery County
- Blue Crab Stadium, Charles County
- Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Wicomico County
- Offers a no-appointment, walk-up line
- Former Wolf Furniture store in the Hagerstown Premium Outlets, Washington County
- Offers a no-appointment, walk-up line
You can pre-register for a shot at a mass vaccination site by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov. You'll be notified once an appointment is available. Announcements will also be made when pre-registration opens to additional groups.
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 vs. Johnson & Johnson
There are three vaccines currently available in the United States.
Moderna, Pfizer
The Moderna and Pfizer 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.
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.
Johnson & Johnson
Unlike the other two vaccines, the J&J vaccine is administered in a single shot.
It also uses a different technology to prime the body to fight against COVID-19. Instead of mRNA, J&J utilizes an adenovirus — a common cold virus that cannot replicate and make a person sick once it enters the cells.
Ultimately, the cold virus will deliver the coronavirus-fighting genetic blueprint into the cells and teach the immune system how to recognize the spike protein found on the surface of the coronavirus.
Adenovirus vaccines can be refrigerated for up to three months at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Clinical trials did show the J&J vaccine as being less effective against the virus compared with the vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer. The company said the vaccine has a 72 percent efficacy rate among trial participants in the U.S., but is about 85 percent effective against the most severe forms of the virus. Moderna and Pfizer tout efficacy rates at or near 95 percent.
While none of the vaccines are 100 percent effective against COVID-19, they all meet the 50 percent efficacy threshold established by the FDA.
J&J's vaccine is for people 18 years old and up.
Note: The State of Maryland temporarily halted using the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine after six recipients in the U.S. suffered blood clots.
All six recipients were women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an April 13 joint statement with the Food and Drug Administration.
While those blood clot cases "appear to be extremely rare," the CDC and FDA say they are taking "all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously."
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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