On Friday, November 19th, Maryland expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination boosters to include all adults. Under the new eligibility requirements, anyone over the age of 18 who has received either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can receive a booster.
The announcement follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocating booster shots for all adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose. CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H. said the following in a press release:
“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays. Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose.”
Governor Larry Hogan explained the need to expand eligibility requirements in a press release:
“As of today, Maryland has already administered more than 800,000 booster shots, and we are immediately expanding our campaign further to include all adults,” said Governor Hogan. “As the holiday season approaches, with more travel and more gatherings, we are encouraging all Marylanders to get a booster shot and maintain their immunity. The state has a robust network of vaccination providers, and we continue to have both the supply and the capacity to provide a booster shot to anyone who needs one.”
Read the full CDC press release.
Read the full Governor Hogan press release.
At this year’s Winter MACo Conference, panelists will be discussing a number of COVID-19 related topics, including how vaccinations are delivered to incarcerated individuals in “Health Behind Bars.”
The 2021 MACo Winter Conference, “Time to Reboot: Tomorrow’s Tech Today,” will be held on December 8-10, 2021, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland.
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
