Westminster, MD (January 18, 2021) – The Carroll County Health Department and Carroll County Government are providing more detail about Carroll County’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout, which continues to evolve. The rollout is proceeding according to state guidance and local priorities as vaccine supply allows. Information about vaccine priorities continues to be refined at state and local levels. More information on the state phases can be found at https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/vaccine/  

The Health Department has vaccinated approximately 3,000 people since December 30th. Most of these individuals have been in Phase 1A, which includes EMS, fire and rescue, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and correctional facilities. Small numbers of high-priority teachers as designated by the Carroll County Public Schools were also vaccinated last week from Phase 1B, when a 1A clinic did not fill as quickly as expected.

This coming week, the Health Department will continue to vaccinate individuals in Phase 1A, as well as staff from public and private schools and childcare facilities, who are in 1B. They will be able to begin vaccinating people 75 and older starting the week of January 25th.

“The Health Department schedules clinics one week in advance based on our vaccine allotment. We only received 1,400 doses for the coming week, and 1,400 for the week after, despite requesting a higher number of doses from the state,” said Ed Singer, Health Officer for Carroll County. “We are currently vaccinating priority groups in focused clinics, and working with community partners to ensure that all doses received are used by the following week. Unfortunately, at the rate we are receiving vaccine, it will take a while to get to everyone in Phase 1B.”

The Health Department is asking residents who are interested in receiving the vaccine to complete interest forms for their phase of vaccination. They can be found at https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-interest-forms/ Individuals on these lists will receive updates by email or phone for those who do not have email, when more information on registration is available. This is not registration for vaccination and the list will not be prioritized.

As rollout plans across the state continue to evolve, COVID-19 vaccination may be available from other providers, in addition to Health Department clinics. The state has added information on sites across Maryland where registration for vaccination is currently or will soon be available:

Find a vaccination clinic near you

Maryland COVID-19 Vaccination Sites at Retail Locations

Currently, all vaccine is being distributed by appointment only.

Individuals should also ask their healthcare providers if they are planning to offer the COVID-19 vaccine. This is especially important for individuals 16-64 at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to other health conditions, in Phase 2. As more vaccine becomes available, many healthcare providers will be able to vaccinate their patients, prioritizing those at higher risk.

“Community partners across the county are working together to get the COVID-19 vaccine out as quickly as possible, despite the challenges of a limited vaccine supply and changing guidance. We are all committed to getting our vaccine allotment out as quickly as possible, but by appointment, so people are not waiting in long lines,” said Ed Rothstein, president of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. “We are prepared to vaccinate more people each week as our vaccine supply increases, and we hope that the vaccine will soon be available through pharmacies and other healthcare providers in addition to Health Department clinics.”

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/

Residents with additional questions or who need assistance to complete the interest forms can call the Health Department’s COVID-19 Call Center at 410-876-4848, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Health Department is closed today, January 18th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The call center will return messages as soon as possible given the volume of calls received.