Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available in Garrett County

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

Marylanders 18 years old and older are now eligible to receive a primary series of the newly authorized Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is now available in Garrett County.

All versions of COVID-19 vaccines are available at the Garrett County Health Department in Oakland on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the Grantsville Office on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule an appointment by visiting garretthealth.org.

Health officials stress that vaccinations are still the best defense against severe illness from COVID-19.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is protein-based. It does not contain mRNA. This type of vaccine has been used for decades in other commonly used vaccines. In clinical trials held during the circulation of original strains of COVID-19, the two-dose vaccine was 90% effective at preventing illness from COVID-19. It is uncertain how well Novavax will perform with currently circulating Omicron strains, but it is a good choice to have for people who are not yet vaccinated.

The vaccine is a two-dose series, with the second dose given three weeks to 8 weeks after the first.  Currently, Novavax is only recommended as a primary vaccination series for individuals who have not had a COVID-19 vaccine, and has not been recommended as a booster for those who have been vaccinated with Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson.  

“Being vaccinated against COVID-19 protects against the most serious outcomes, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Jennifer Corder, Deputy Health Officer for Garrett and Allegany Counties. “Please consider being vaccinated now if you have not yet received one of the vaccines.”

For more information on the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/novavax.html#ingredients.

Garrett County data as of August 1:

• Total Cases:   6228
• Positivity Rate:   19.2%
• Case Rate:  24.1
• Hospitalized: 0
• Deaths: 114
• 5+ Fully Vaccinated: 54.3%
• 65+ Fully Vaccinated: 81.5%

The CDC Community Level is currently back down to medium, after having been up to high for a week.