COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccination

Many options are available for vaccination in our communities. And it is FREE of charge! All COVID-19 vaccinations currently available have been tested and found to be safe and effective. Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Easily locate a vaccine center near you: https://www.vaccines.gov/

More COVID-19 information and frequently asked questions - click here.

Information on current vaccines:
Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA: 2 doses, age 16+ approved, age 12-15 EUA
Moderna mRNA: 2 doses, age 18+ EUA
Janssen (J&J) Adeno26: 1 dose, age 18+ EUA

Pfizer Booster
ImmuneCompromised - 28 days after last dose
• Active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Organ transplant and on medicine to suppress the immune system
• Stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or on medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (ex. DiGeorge or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress immunity
At risk groups who should receive 6 months after last dose
• People aged 65 years and older
• Residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settingsexternal icon
• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions

At risk groups who may receive 6 months after last dose
• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18–64 years at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting

Antibody testing not recommended for vaccine decision-making or immunity assessment

Interchangeability of vaccines:
Vaccines are not interchangeable. However, in certain exceptions, such as a contraindication to a second dose of mRNA vaccine or when a previous dose product cannot be determined or is not available, interchangeability may be allowed (https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html). ‡

Coadministration with other vaccines:
COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines may be administered on the same day, as well as any interval without respect to timing. When deciding whether to administer COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, providers should consider whether the patient is behind or at risk of becoming behind for any appropriate and recommended vaccines, their risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (e.g., during an outbreak), and the reactogenicity profile of the vaccines.

Persons with prior or current COVID-19:
COVID-19 vaccines can be given safely to people with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection
Defer vaccination until recovered from the acute illness and criteria met to discontinue isolation (https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html)
Women Aged <50 years:
Can receive any FDA-authorized or approved vaccine but should be informed of risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) syndrome (TTS) after receipt of Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine and the availability of other COVID-19 vaccine options
Persons who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma:
Defer vaccination for at least 90 days
Persons with a known SARS-CoV-2 exposure:
People in community of outpatient setting should defer vaccination until any quarantine period has ended (14 days if not fully vaccinated, if fully vaccinated no quarantine necessary unless symptomatic and should test for COVID 3-5 days after exposure) (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/ quarantine.html)
Residents of patients in congregate settings may be vaccinated if they do not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html)
History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT):
If within 90 days of illness, offer an mRNA vaccine, after 90 days vaccinate with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Persons with underlying conditions:
May receive COVID-19 vaccine
Persons with moderate to severe immune compromise:
Can receive any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine
• 1 dose Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine; currently no recommendation for an additional dose, but is currently under review by the FDA, or
• 2-doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine;
• consider an additional 3rd dose at least 28 days after completion of the primary 2-dose series
Persons with a history of myocarditis or pericarditis:
If myocarditis or pericarditis occurred after a dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, should defer receiving a subsequent dose
• A subsequent dose can be considered in certain circumstances including personal risk of severe COVID-19 and level of community transmission.
If a history of myocarditis or pericarditis unrelated to an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, may receive COVID-19 vaccine after the episode has completely resolved.
Persons with a history of GuillainBarré Syndrome:
Can receive any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine, however, discuss the availability of mRNA vaccines to offer protection against COVID-19
Pregnant or breastfeeding people or people trying to get pregnant:
Are recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, inform of risk of TTS after receipt of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine and the availability of other options
Adolescents:
Adolescents aged 12-17 are ONLY eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Adolescents aged 18 years and older are eligible for all COVID-19 vaccines
Persons vaccinated outside the United States:
Received all recommended doses of an FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine, do not need additional doses
Received a non FDA-authorized or approved vaccine
• If vaccine is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) and received all recommended doses, do not need additional doses with FDA-authorized or approved vaccine
• If vaccine is listed for emergency use by WHO, but has not received all recommended doses, may be offered a complete FDA-authorized or approved series
• If vaccine is not listed for emergency use by WHO, may be offered a complete FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine series
Contraindications:
Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose or component of the COVID-19 vaccine
Immediate (within 4 hours of exposure) allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose or known (diagnosed) allergy to a component of the vaccine
Precaution:
Immediate allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy (i.e., intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous vaccines or therapies [excluding subcutaneous immunotherapy for allergies, i.e., “allergy shots”])
Post-vaccination observation:
30 minutes: persons with a precaution to vaccination (i.e., history of an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a vaccine or injectable therapy) and persons with a history of anaphylaxis due to any cause
15 minutes: all other persons SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing

COVID-19 Antibody Infusion Criteria:
• Older age (e.g., age ≥65 years of age)
• Obesity or being overweight (e.g., adults with BMI >25 kg/m2, or if age 12-17, have BMI ≥85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts (https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/clinical_charts.htm)
• Pregnant
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive treatment
• Cardiovascular disease (including congenital heart disease) or hypertension
• Chronic lung diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma [moderate-to-severe], interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension)
• Sickle cell disease
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy) or other conditions that confer medical complexity (e.g. genetic or metabolic syndromes and severe congenital anomalies)
• Having a medical-related technological dependence [e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19)]
• Having medical conditions and factors associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19
• Certain situations for Post-Exposure Prophylaxix.

Antibody Infusion Information:
Antibody infusions are another tool, in addition, to vaccines but do not replace vaccines as the primary approach to reduce COVID-19 infections in this pandemic.
Monoclonal antibody infusions are distributed by the Maryland Department of Health for Marylanders who are at high risk of serious illness due to COVID-19, such as those over 65 years and with certain chronic conditions (https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/faqs/#faqMA), to 7 sites across Maryland:
● Adventist HealthCare Takoma Park
● Atlantic General Hospital
● Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital
● MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
● Meritus Health
● TidalHealth Peninsula Regional
● UPMC Western Maryland

A Physician or Provider order is required, and those wishing to refer a patient for a monoclonal antibody treatment through CRISP’s new referral tool can find instructions and additional resources at coronavirus.maryland.gov.
Upon entering the link above, look for: Information about Monoclonal Antibodies (Mab)
 Maryland Referral Form for Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment
Under a special arrangement with the federal government, a supply of monoclonal antibody medications is available to patients for free. However, there may be costs related to administering the medications that are not covered by insurance.

Maryland vaccine info

State and County Health Department clinics: Visit coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine to find a clinic near you.

Wicomico County Health Department: 410-341-4600 or www.wicomicohealth.org

TidalHealth Home Scripts Ocean Pines: To schedule an appointment, visit healthmartcovidvaccine.com. For those who need directions to the clinic, its full street address is at TidalHealth Home Scripts Ocean Pines, 11101 Cathage Road, Berlin, MD 21811. They may be reached at 410-543-4769.

CVS: Pfizer, Moderna, J&J: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine