How to sign up for the vaccine
Maryland recently moved into Phase 1C of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, which includes adults 65 years and older as well as certain groups of essential workers.
Beginning Feb. 1, Marylanders receiving chemotherapy and suffering from certain immune disorders, among other severely immunocompromised people, also will become eligible to get the shots, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said at a Tuesday news conference.
The Republican governor announced other measures to ramp up the coronavirus vaccine rollout, including opening mass vaccination sites around the state and adding more chain stores to the pharmacies already offering the vaccines.
The state has been rolling out the vaccines in phases. Phase 1A included front-line health workers, first responders and nursing home residents and staff. Phase 1B included those 75 and older, school teachers and staff, child care workers, and others in congregate living, including correctional facilities.
You can sign up for a vaccine through the state, a county health department or certain health care providers. Here’s a list of links by county and health system for where to go to make appointments for the coronavirus vaccine if you’re eligible to receive it.
Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel residents or workers included in phases 1A, 1B or 1C can fill out an eligibility screening form online. After filling out the form, those who fall into the groups currently being vaccinated will receive an email with vaccination appointment times and clinic locations. Preregister at https:// aacounty.org/covidvax.
Anyone who is not eligible will be turned away at the vaccine clinic even if they have an appointment, said Elin Jones, health department spokesperson. “The Department of Health expects the registered people to be honest and considerate of others.”
Seniors in Anne Arundel County who need help signing up for the coronavirus vaccine can contact the county’s Department of Aging, call the COVID Care Warm Line at 410-222-3663. Teletypewriter users should call Maryland Relay 711.
Baltimore City
Falling in line with the statewide rollout, Baltimore began vaccinating people who fall into the Phase 1C group Monday, while continuing to vaccinate those in Phase 1A and 1B. Those who live or work in Baltimore and fall into those phases can register for clinics by date at coronavirus.baltimorecity. gov/covid-19-vaccine-information/priority-group-1a. Appointments are mandatory, as walk-ins are not accepted. However, as of Monday the clinics were booked up through Friday.
The city’s health department implores residents not eligible to receive the vaccine not to register for an appointment, as in doing so “they are taking away appointment slots from those individuals that need to be prioritized.” The department says one must show documentation, such as official identification or a work ID, at the time of their appointment to prove they’re eligible. Those without documentation will be turned away.
Seniors in Baltimore who need assistance signing up for the vaccine can call the Maryland Access Point at 410-396-2273 for help.
Baltimore City Public Schools teachers and other staff members will be vaccinated through a partnership between the school system and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Officials said they plan to vaccinate 500 staff members a week.
Baltimore County
Baltimore County also began to transition to Phases 1B and 1C of the vaccine rollout. Those who live or work in the county can register online and will be contacted to schedule an appointment once the they’re eligible to receive the vaccine. Go to baltimorecountymd.gov/covid-19/vaccines.
The county is urging friends, family and neighbors to help out seniors who are having trouble signing up for the vaccine, said Sean Naron, a spokesperson for County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. Otherwise, seniors can call 311 to be connected with staff who can support them through the registration process, Naron said.
Public school employees who are due to report to school buildings in a first reopening phase will be prioritized for vaccinations by school administration.
Pre-K and kindergarten teachers will be prioritized for the vaccine, along with educators in the school system’s Infants and Toddlers Program, according to an email to school staff from schools Superintendent Darryl L. Williams.
Carroll County
The Carroll County Health Department started a limited Phase 1B vaccine rollout Monday. That will see public and private school employees and child care staff get shots. Residents 75 and older could begin having shots Monday. Complete an interest form online to be contacted to schedule your appointment at cchd.maryland.gov/covid19-interest-forms/. Photo identification is required at vaccination clinics.
Due to limited supplies, the county cannot begin vaccinating eligible Phase 1C candidates until further notice.
Anyone who needs help completing the form can call 410-876-4848 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Harford County
Like other jurisdictions, the Harford County Health Department is pre-screening people for vaccine eligibility by having them complete an online form. Those in vaccination groups 1A, 1B and 1C should fill out the form. When a person is eligible and the department knows how many doses it has to dole out, health officials will email those who completed the form a link to register for a clinic day and time. The form can be accessed from this page: harfordcountyhealth.com/ harfordcovidvax/.
Anyone who needs help completing the form can call the health department at 410-838-1500 and choose Option 4 when prompted. While the department encourages only people who live or work in Harford to get shots there, it will not turn anyone away based on residency. A person must bring a photo ID with them to vaccination clinics, where ineligible persons will be turned away even if they scheduled an appointment.
“Our vaccine is scarce and we want to make sure that everyone in these priority groups are vaccinated when they’re eligible,” said Molly Mraz, Harford health department spokesperson. “We understand that everyone is eager to get their vaccine, but these priority groups are prioritized for a reason and we just need to be patient and allow those who need it most to get their vaccine first.”
Howard County
Transitioning to Phase 1B, the Howard County Health Department expects vaccine clinics to be limited for some demographics, including residents 75 and older. Those eligible or soon expected to be eligible for the vaccine can fill out a survey online at howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/ MM-Alerts-and-Recalls/COVID-19-Vaccine; they will be contacted to schedule an appointment. Anyone who has questions or needs help completing the survey can call the county’s vaccine team at 410-313-6284.
Phase 1C vaccinations will not begin in Howard County until February, according to the health department’s website.
Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman urged those eligible for registration not to share appointment registration links with those who’ve not yet been tapped to receive their shot.
“These ineligible appointments take up slots reserved for our highest priority groups,” Rossman said in a statement on the health department’s website. “Our team verifies all appointments before administering vaccine. If you make an appointment and are not part of a priority group, you will be turned away.”
Pharmacy vaccinators
The state’s network of pharmacy vaccinators is set to grow Feb. 1.
Safeway, Giant, Martin’s, Walmart and Rite Aid locations will now be included, bringing the total of 51 pharmacies providing the vaccine across the state.
To see all locations, including pharmacies, check the state’s website or call 211.
Mass vaccination sites
Hogan said vaccinations will be underway by Feb. 5 at the Baltimore Convention Center and Six Flags America in Prince George’s County. M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Ravens, also has been tapped as a mass vaccination site once more vaccine is available.
Hogan said the state is finalizing plans to host regional vaccination sites in Southern and Western Maryland, and on the Eastern Shore.
Announcements about how to make appointments at the vaccination sites will be released soon.