Trevor James
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a new normal, with many countries implementing vaccine requirements for their residents. In Baltimore, the city's health department has provided instructions for COVID-19 vaccine registrations, with healthcare workers and first responders among the first to be vaccinated. The city has also recommended that individuals wait and monitor themselves for any side effects after receiving their vaccine. In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, Baltimore County also offers other immunizations for students, such as the chickenpox, whooping cough, and meningitis vaccines. While vaccination rates in Baltimore have been low, with only one out of four residents fully vaccinated as of April 2021, the city continues to prioritize the health and safety of its residents by offering various vaccination opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination Requirements for School | Students are required to have their immunizations by September 16 or they will not be allowed to return to school. |
| Vaccines Required | Two varicella vaccines (chickenpox) for students entering grades K through 10, a Tdap vaccine (whooping cough) for students entering grades 7 through 12, and a Meningococcal vaccine (meningitis) for students entering grades 7 through 12. |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Sites | Port Covington location, Baltimore City Health Department, and Maryland Department of Health. |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Prioritization | Healthcare workers, first responders, and individuals who work in healthcare settings or live and/or work in Baltimore City. |
| COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations | The CDC recommends a 2-dose series for the COVID-19 vaccine, with the second dose administered 3-4 weeks after the first dose. |
| Vaccination for Children | Children under 5 will likely be vaccinated at their pediatrician's office, while pharmacies may provide vaccinations for children 3 years and older. |
| Benefits of Vaccination for Children | Reduced quarantine requirements, enabling children to return to daycare and school faster. |
| Mask Mandate | Baltimore considered keeping outdoor mask orders to distinguish between vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals due to the risk of disease transmission. |
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What You'll Learn
COVID-19 vaccine registration instructions for healthcare workers
As of January 2021, Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) is administering Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for Priority 1A group members. This includes healthcare workers and first responders. The vaccination site is located at Building 37, 2601 Port Covington Dr, Baltimore, MD 21230.
- You will receive an email with a unique link to register for the vaccine. This link is meant only for you, so please do not forward it to anyone outside of your organization or priority group.
- Pre-registration is required, and walk-ups will not be accepted.
- At the facility entrance, you will be asked to show ID confirming your appointment and that you work in a healthcare setting.
- During the registration process, you will be asked to enter an insurance type (private insurance, Medicaid/medical assistance, Medicare, or no insurance), but no other insurance information is required, nor is proof of insurance necessary.
- The vaccine will be administered in accordance with all applicable federal and state guidelines. It is a two-dose series, separated by 28 days.
- After receiving your first dose, you will be encouraged to sign up for your second-dose appointment on-site at the clinic.
- You will also be encouraged to sign up for V-Safe to monitor any side effects.
- It is recommended that you stay in the clinic's designated waiting area for at least 15 minutes (and up to 30 minutes if you have a history of severe allergic reactions) after receiving the vaccine.
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Back-to-school immunizations for children
The Baltimore County Government runs back-to-school immunization clinics for children. Students are required to have their immunizations by September 16 or they will not be allowed to attend school. The required immunizations include two varicella vaccines (chickenpox) for students entering grades K through 10, a Tdap vaccine (whooping cough) for students entering grades 7 through 12, and a meningococcal vaccine (meningitis) for students entering grades 7 through 12.
The Baltimore County Health Department provides information on where to take your child to get their required immunizations. Immunization clinics are held at various locations, including the Dundalk Health Center and the Woodlawn Health Center, with walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to the routine immunizations required for school entry, children in Baltimore are also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of Health operate vaccination clinics for children. While pharmacies typically do not provide vaccinations for children under 3, the CVS Minute Clinic pharmacy offers doses to children aged 18 months to 4 years. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are both safe and effective for young children and toddlers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was observed that even healthy children without underlying conditions were hospitalized due to the virus. Vaccination helps to protect children from severe illness and death, and it also reduces the need for quarantine, allowing children to return to school and daycare faster. The Pfizer vaccine's second dose should be administered at least three weeks after the first, while the Moderna vaccine's second dose should be given at least four weeks later.
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Vaccination sites in Baltimore
Baltimore has several vaccination sites that have been offering COVID-19 vaccines to eligible individuals. Here are some of the sites that have been mentioned:
Baltimore Convention Center
The Baltimore Convention Center was opened as a mass vaccination site in February 2021. It is located at 1 W Pratt St., Baltimore, and was open to Baltimore City residents only on Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to noon. This site was expected to cater to all eligible Marylanders who met Phase 1A, 1B, and 1C criteria.
Six Flags America Theme Park
Six Flags America Theme Park, located at 13710 Central Ave. in Bowie, was also opened as a mass vaccination site in February 2021. It offered vaccinations from Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.
M&T Bank Stadium
The M&T Bank Stadium was announced as another mass vaccination site expected to open in mid-February 2021. It is located at 1101 Russell St., Baltimore, and was open seven days a week from 9 am to 4 pm.
CVS Pharmacies
CVS Health announced that it was accepting walk-in appointments at its pharmacies nationwide, including dozens of locations in Maryland. Same-day scheduling is available online, and appointments can be booked as soon as one hour in advance.
Port Covington Location
The Baltimore City Health Department has provided instructions for COVID-19 vaccine registrations at the Port Covington location. This site is specifically for healthcare workers and first responders, and they must show ID confirming their appointment and profession.
Baltimore County Health Centers
Baltimore County Health Centers offer back-to-school immunizations for children. Students must have their required immunizations by a certain date to be allowed to attend school. The health centers have specified days and hours for walk-in services.
These are just a few examples of the vaccination sites that have been operational in Baltimore. The state of Maryland has been working to increase access to vaccines and improve distribution.
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Vaccination priority groups
In Baltimore, the priority groups for vaccination are divided into 1A, 1B, and 1C. The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) started administering Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to Priority Group 1A members on January 11th, 2021. This group included licensed, registered, and certified healthcare providers, as well as individuals who work in healthcare settings and live and/or work in Baltimore City. Examples of professions in this group are dentistry, pharmacy, and behavioral health.
Governor Hogan announced that Maryland entered Phase 1B on January 18th, 2021. This group included adults aged 75 years and older, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), and all Marylanders over 65. People in Priority Group 1B who lived or worked in Baltimore City could register for the vaccine starting on January 18th.
The Maryland Department of Health's COVID-19 website listed healthcare providers administering vaccinations to Priority Groups 1A, 1B, and 1C members. Qualifying residents could sign up for vaccination appointments directly with area healthcare providers. However, due to high demand, the Baltimore City Health Department temporarily pulled registration links from their website, encouraging people to check for updates on available appointments.
The next phase of vaccine distribution, expected to begin in late January, would include Marylanders over the age of 75, at-risk inmates, and educators. This expansion of priority groups indicated a shift towards vaccinating more segments of the population.
It is important to note that individuals must confirm their status as members of the priority groups before making an appointment. This confirmation is also required at the facility entrance, along with ID verification. After receiving the vaccine, individuals are recommended to wait for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes if they have a history of severe allergic reactions.
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Mask mandates for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals
In Baltimore, there has been some fluctuation in mask mandates for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott had previously blamed unvaccinated people for the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate. He urged unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated and comply with the mandate to protect themselves and those around them.
However, Baltimore County later announced an end to the indoor mask mandate in county buildings and the required testing for unvaccinated employees. This decision was made as the county's COVID-19 positivity rate had decreased significantly, and the number of hospitalizations had dropped. The county executive, Johnny Olszewski, emphasized that they were working to provide more normalcy for employees and residents while still navigating the pandemic.
During the period from July 30 to August 5, Baltimore City and several Maryland counties fell under the CDC's "high" or "substantial" COVID transmission levels, which influenced the mask mandate decisions.
While the indoor mask mandate was a source of contention for some, officials like Mayor Brandon Scott emphasized the importance of following scientific guidance to protect the health of the community. The mandate was reinstated in alignment with CDC guidelines, and its subsequent removal was also guided by improvements in COVID-19 metrics.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Baltimore City Health Department has a COVID-19 vaccine registration process for healthcare workers and first responders. The vaccine is administered in two doses, separated by 28 days.
Yes, children need to be vaccinated in Baltimore. The Baltimore City Health Department and the Maryland Department of Health are both running vaccination clinics for children. The vaccines are safe and effective, and they are tailored for babies and toddlers.
Yes, Baltimore has a mask mandate. As of April 2021, only one out of four Baltimore residents were fully vaccinated, meaning that three out of four people encountered in public were not yet fully vaccinated.
