Health Department Is Making Great Progress on Vaccination but Supply is Limited

By Garrett County Joint Information Center Team

As announced by Governor Hogan at a press conference Tuesday evening, Maryland is moving to a rolling vaccine allocation model. This allows Garrett County some additional flexibility in vaccinating the most high-risk populations. However, the supply of the vaccine is limited.

The Health Department reports that it has vaccinated nearly all health care providers and public safety personnel that are in the priority population. As additional vaccine becomes available the Health Department is working with local partners to identify the very highest risk populations, including those in assisted living facilities, group homes, and licensed Social Workers who have been added to the highest risk group. As indicated in Governor Hogan’s latest press conference, the State anticipates moving to Phase 1B, at which time all persons age 75 and older, as well as education staff will be able to register for vaccination.

Vaccinations are being given by appointment only, which must be made by your attending medical provider. Do not come to a vaccination clinic without an appointment. Proof of age and proof of Garrett County residency will be required.

The Health Department is NOT keeping a list of people who want to get the vaccine. When vaccine appointments become available for different segments of the population, the Health Department will announce qualification requirements and instructions on how to schedule an appointment. Please watch media outlets, the Health Department’s Facebook page or website (garretthealth.org) for updates.

“Overseeing the distribution of the vaccine is probably the most challenging responsibility the Health Department has been tasked with in decades,” said Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens.  “We have a very limited supply of vaccine and it is not possible to provide the vaccine to everyone who wants it at this time. We are relying on our partner agencies to help us make sure the vaccine we do have gets to the folks who need it most.”

Additional COVID-19 resources:

● Visit garretthealth.org for the most up-to-date COVID-19 information.

● If you have COVID-19 like symptoms, schedule a testing appointment at the Health Department by calling 301-334-7697.

● Free COVID-19 testing is available (with or without symptoms) on Tuesdays (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Thursdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), at the MEDCO Building in the McHenry Business Park. Pre-registration is recommended. Visit garretthealth.org for more information.

● For all other COVID-19 related questions, or to report a COVID-19 compliance issue, call the local COVID-19 Hotline number at 301-334-7698.