Westminster, MD (May 6, 2021) – The Carroll County Health Department is now offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the TownMall of Westminster, in the former Sears store, beginning Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Walk-ins will be permitted starting Thursday, May 6th during clinic hours, as vaccine supply allows. Clinic dates and times can be found at https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/.

“After offering vaccinations around the county at senior centers and school sites for the past four months, we are now scheduling our clinics at the TownMall of Westminster,” said Ed Singer, Health Officer for Carroll County. “It’s a central location with great parking and public transportation access. We will allow walk-ins and offer some evening and weekend clinics to make it easy for people to get vaccinated when it fits their schedule.”

The Health Department has given over 24,000 first doses and over 16,000 second doses since its first COVID-19 vaccination clinic for first responders on December 30th, 2020. Over 47% of all county residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, including residents who were vaccinated at other locations, such as mass vaccination sites and pharmacies.

“I’m thrilled that Carroll County is beginning to see increased vaccine availability and higher vaccination rates,” said Board of County Commissioner President Ed Rothstein. “Carroll County is always a community that comes together to help each other; and the more people who are vaccinated, the more quickly we will beat this virus and move Carroll forward.”

Vaccination is now open to everyone in Maryland age 16 and up. Currently the Health Department is offering the Moderna vaccine, with a Johnson & Johnson single dose clinic scheduled this Friday, May 7th. Because these two vaccines are approved for adults age 18+, the Health Department is not currently able to vaccinate 16-17-year-olds. If the department receives any additional Pfizer vaccine, it will offer the vaccine to this age group, as well as 12-15-year-olds, once approved.

Now that vaccine supply is more consistent, it’s easy to register for one of the Health Department clinics:

  • Visit https://cchd.maryland.gov/registration-links/
  • Read the registration tips, and click on a link to register for the clinic of your choice.
  • If you need assistance to register, call the COVID-19 call center at 410-876-4848. Staff is available to assist between 8 am and 5 pm weekdays, or you can leave a message to receive a callback.
  • Registration is preferred and will make the vaccination process quicker, but walk-ins are permitted as long as vaccine supply allows. Check the website for clinic hours of operation before visiting; the vaccination site will not be open at all times when the mall is open.
  • The entrance to the vaccination site is outside the mall in the former Sears location; you cannot get to the site from the inside the mall.
  • People who received their 1st dose of Moderna at another location may now receive their second dose at Health Department clinics at the TownMall. However, interested individuals must bring their vaccination card to the clinic and must be vaccinated at least 28 days after their first dose of Moderna (per CDC guidance).

Carroll County residents are also encouraged to look at other locations offering vaccination in order to find the clinic most convenient for them. Anyone can directly schedule an appointment at Maryland’s mass vaccination sites at https://massvax.maryland.gov/ or by calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX. Many area pharmacies are offering the vaccines, including Pfizer for 16+. Search by zip code and vaccine type at https://www.vaccines.gov/. Individuals may also ask their healthcare providers if they are planning to offer the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is so important to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our entire community,” said Singer. “The vaccines are safe, incredibly effective, and now easier to get than ever. We hope to see a lot of people at our TownMall clinics, and will continue to look for ways to make it easy for everyone to get vaccinated, such as our mobile vaccine clinic.”

More information on COVID-19 vaccination in Carroll County can be found on the Health Department’s page: https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-vaccination/.