MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — More residents can now get COVID-19 booster shots in Montgomery County, thanks to the CDC updated authorization.
The new eligibility guidelines include some people who have previously received the Moderna vaccine and most people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Residents who are eligible for booster doses can get vaccinated at pharmacies, through private providers, or at county and other health care-sponsored clinics — however, eligible individuals seeking a specific vaccine as their booster dose should check with the vaccination site before making an appointment to ensure availability, the county said.
The various eligibility guidelines for each brand of booster shot are listed below. Note: Individuals eligible for a booster shot are authorized to receive any of the available COVID-19 vaccines as their booster.
Eligibility for those who received two doses of the Moderna vaccine:
- Anyone 65 years and older, or
- Adults 18 and older who are at high risk of severe illness because of an underlying condition
- Adults 18 and older who are at risk of illness because of their job, or
- Adults 18 and older who live in an institutional setting, and
- Received their second dose of the vaccine at least six months ago.
Eligibility for those who received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
- Anyone 18 years and older and received their Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago.
- 65 or older
- Between 18 and 64 with an underlying medical condition
- People aged 18-64 years who are at an increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings are able to get a booster.
“We know that the information can be confusing to residents because there are multiple steps to the approval process for the vaccines, as well as differing eligibility criteria depending on which vaccine is recommended,” said acting health officer Dr. James Bridgers via a press release, “And that is why we ask everyone to review the information carefully and ask their doctor or health provider if they have questions about their specific medical situation.”
Residents will be required to self-certify that they fall into one of the eligible groups when making an appointment, the county specified.
Appointments for county-operated and many private providers are made on the Maryland Department of Health’s PrepMod scheduling platform. Visit Maryland’s vaccine locator to find pharmacies, county-operated sites and other providers offering booster doses.
If you need help making an appointment at a county-operated vaccination site, please call the COVID-19 call center at 240-777-2982 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Find additional information at www.GoVaxMoCo.com. If you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, get tested. Find free testing clinics at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org. For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.
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