HoCo Continues To Lead Maryland Counties In Vaccinated People

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County continues to lead Maryland counties with more than 85 percent of its "eligible population" at least partially vaccinated and more than 80 percent of its total population fully vaccinated, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

As of Aug. 1, Howard County’s positivity rate was at 2.76 percent, which ranks the county among the lower third of jurisdictions in Maryland. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Howard County has a moderate level of community transmission.

"Our team has worked incredibly hard to get our population vaccinated, in July alone approximately 15,000 doses were administered,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “With the increasing presence of the delta variant, we're reviewing all our options to encourage more of our residents and employees to get vaccinated and keep our community safe. For our residents who feel more comfortable wearing marks, they should do so. At this time, we’re reaching out to those who still have not received their shot and have 16 clinics this week around the region. The single most effective way to reduce your chance of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated.”

To view the full list of upcoming clinics, visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov. Vaccine clinics will also be offered from Aug. 7–14 at the Howard County Fair. A full schedule of vaccine clinics offered at upcoming Merriweather concerts also is available online. Residents in need of a second dose appointment can email the Howard County Health Department at dose2@howardcountymd.gov. A walk-up vaccine is also available for those who previously missed their second dose appointment.

“The health department continues to offer a wide range of community vaccination clinics for any eligible individual who is not yet fully vaccinated," Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said. "The extremely contagious delta variant is now the dominant strain in our county, underlining the importance that everyone 12 and older get vaccinated to reduce the spread of this virus and protect those who are immunocompromised or not yet eligible to receive the vaccine.”