The COVID-19 vaccine process is rapidly changing. The following is an update on the vaccination progress in Montgomery County:
- Clinics operated by the DHHS (health department) have started vaccinating residents who are 75 and older (Priority Group 1B).
- The State has announced that Maryland jurisdictions can begin vaccinating residents in Priority Group 1C (adults ages 65 and over), but not all counties are able to move into that phase.
- Local health officers have the authority to adjust policies and protocols for clinics operated by DHHS as necessary for the County’s population and vaccine supply. The pace at which the County started offering vaccinations to those in Group 1B was impacted by the large number of individuals in Group 1A (largely frontline responders and health workers) needing vaccinations, as well as the number of doses received.
- Everyone must preregister. The County is preregistering residents in Priority Groups 1A, 1B and 1C. Check the County vaccine webpage for preregistration information.
- Preregistration is not a vaccination appointment—it places a person in the queue by priority group. When vaccine doses arrive, DHHS contacts residents from the preregistration list and invites them to make an appointment.
- Preregistered individuals will receive an invitation to make an appointment by phone call or email directly from DHHS. Email invitations will come from c19vaccination@montgomerycountymd.gov.
In addition to the clinics operated by DHHS, hospitals, health centers and several community partners have COVID-19 vaccines available to the public. These clinics follow the State guidelines and not the rules issued by the County. They may be vaccinating priority groups that the County-operated clinics are not. Vaccine supply continues to be limited at all venues in Montgomery County.
Hospitals/health care systems that may have vaccines available include:
- Adventist HealthCare
- Holy Cross Hospital
- Kaiser Permanente
- MedStar Health
- Suburban Hospital, a subsidiary of Johns Hopkins (Suburban Hospital is prioritizing existing patients in the Hopkins system).
Preregistering on the County’s vaccine page does not mean a person is preregistered with other venues.
Telephone assistance for preregistering also is available.
Residents are encouraged to assist their neighbors, family members and friends to preregister if they need help.
- Residents 75 years and older without Internet access can call the Preregistration Helpline for assistance at 240-777-2982. Staff members are available to callers in English and Spanish. The helpline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- The line is for preregistration only.
- General questions about vaccinations and COVID-19 will be addressed at 240-777-1755.
