Coronavirus Vaccinations Coming To Anne Arundel First Responders

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As hospital workers in the state being to receive Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, plans have been release to vaccinate first responders, residents at risk of a severe COVID-19 disease, and then the general population in Anne Arundel County.

On Friday the Anne Arundel County Department of Health shared plans to roll out its COVID-19 vaccinations for first responders and health-care providers, the two populations identified in the State of Maryland’s highest priority group.

Starting the week of Dec. 28, and pending the arrival of the Moderna vaccine, first responders will be the first group to receive the vaccine. First responders include law enforcement officers, paramedics, EMT’s, firefighters and crisis teams. The Department of Health is already working with these groups to coordinate the vaccination efforts.

Anne Arundel County health-care providers not affiliated with a hospital or long term care facility will be the next group vaccinated. Practices needing to be vaccinated should submit their names online on this Google Form.

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In Maryland, hospital health-care providers have begun receiving the Pfizer vaccine through their health care systems, and pharmacies will begin providing the Pfizer vaccine to long-term care facilities.

Once most of the requesters in the highest priority group have been vaccinated and vaccines are broadly available, the county will move to the next priority group at announced clinics. This 1B group includes people age 65 and older and those with chronic medical conditions who are at high risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Clinics will be announced on www.aahealth.org.

Once more vaccines are broadly available with federal approval, and the county has vaccinated a significant proportion of Priority Group 1, clinics will move to Priority Group 2. Those in group 2 include residents who perform critical or essential infrastructure roles, and people at moderate risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

They will be followed by the general population.

“Vaccinations are the most important method our county has of controlling COVID-19 illness and deaths,” said Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, in a news release. “However, the vaccine will not end the spread on its own. There is a chance that a vaccinated person can be a silent carrier. Please continue wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands to control this pandemic.”

For more information about the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website, click here.