Today, Governor Larry Hogan announced the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will be issuing an order making older adults living in congregate care settings eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.
The announcement comes despite the federal government having “not yet issued formal rules for when most Americans should get [booster shots].”
“Unfortunately, for several weeks now, states have had to operate without clear guidance from the federal government” on booster shots, Hogan said. “The limited guidance we have received has been confusing and contradictory and it’s still unclear when and how vulnerable people will become eligible.”
The Baltimore Sun reports:
[T]he state is immediately authorizing booster doses for those age 65 and older in nursing homes, assisted living centers, residential treatment centers and group homes for people with disabilities…President Joe Biden’s administration has said it plans to begin authorizing additional vaccine doses to all adults who are at least eight months out from their first vaccine regimen starting Sept. 20, but final approval hasn’t come through yet.
The Cumberland Times-News adds:
MDH is instructing pharmacies and other providers across the state to administer boosters without a prescription or doctor’s order to anyone who considers themself to be immunocompromised.
