The percent of Montgomery County total residents that have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccination reached 76.8 percent, according to statistics updated Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with 70 percent fully vaccinated. However, the infection rate in the County has slightly increased as the Delta variant has become evident in the community.
CDC statistics differ somewhat from statistics kept by the State of Maryland. The CDC includes County residents regardless of where they received their vaccinations. Maryland statistics only include residents who were vaccinated in the State.
Despite the high rate of vaccination in Montgomery County, there are still many adults and adolescents who have not been vaccinated. In addition, children under the age of 12 are too young to be vaccinated. This can create a risk for a new rise in infections, particularly with the new variants, including the Delta variant. The variant currently accounts for more than one in every five COVID-19 cases in the United States.
Vaccination remains the best defense to prevent a surge of the Delta variant. A Washington Post story explaining more about the variant can be viewed at https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/07/07/delta-variant-covid/
To learn more about how to get a vaccination, go to www.GoVaxMoco.com.
State VaxU Incentive Scholarships for 12-17-Year-Olds Continue Through Labor Day
Maryland recently launched the VaxU scholarship program, a $1 million incentive program to encourage 12-17-year-olds to get vaccinated against COVID-19. To qualify, students must live and be vaccinated in Maryland. The first two scholarship winners were Montgomery County residents.
Two winners will be drawn at random each week for eight weeks until Labor Day. Each winner will receive a $50,000 scholarship for full tuition and fees at any public, in-state institution of higher learning. The program will conclude with four winners selected on Labor Day, Sept. 6.
For more information, visit https://mhec.maryland.gov/Pages/vaxU-scholarship-promotion.aspx.
A Few COVID-19 Facts and Details
- For an online record of your COVID-19 vaccination, view your account at Maryland MyIR. MyIR is Maryland's online immunization record system.
- People who have had COVID-19 still need to be vaccinated.
- Testing remains important for those unvaccinated, those traveling and anyone who may have symptoms.
- The COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 240-777-2982 for answers to COVID-19 questions.