Young Kids Could Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Starting Friday In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Slightly more than 95 percent of Howard County residents able to be vaccinated against COVID-19 have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 88.5 percent are fully vaccinated. According to Maura J. Rossman, Howard County Health Officer, Howard County has one of the highest community vaccination rates in the nation.

"Our message has been clear: to 'Stay COVID Safe,' get vaccinated. This milestone is not by accident; our team of community partners and organizations are having important conversations with our residents and emphasizing how critical getting vaccinated is to protect yourself and loved ones. As we head into winter, and more folks are gathering indoors, it’s vital to have a highly vaccinated community. We are determined to reach every eligible resident and encourage vaccination as other COVID-19 variants continue to be a concern," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. The Howard County Health Department anticipates starting child vaccine clinics Friday if the vaccine supply is received by Thursday.

Rossman said that Howard County will receive a total of 9,300 doses divided among 15 providers but there is an estimated 33,000 Howard County children in this age group.

"While HCHD will receive 4,200 doses and the private sector will receive 5,100 doses, the supply available will only be enough vaccine to fully immunize 4,650 children. Not every child in Howard County who wants a vaccine will be able to get it immediately. Parents and guardians should check with their child’s provider to see if they will be offering COVID vaccine," Rossman said.

The health department will offer a vaccination clinic weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at Howard Community College for this age group. Preregistration will be required for the estimated 400 appointments per day. Information about the online registration process and upcoming clinic
registration links will be posted Thursday after 5 p.m. at
howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19-vaccine.

"Many families have expressed interest in getting their children vaccinated. Again, it is expected that demand will outweigh supply in Howard County for a few weeks. Once supply patterns are established, vaccines should be more available and easily accessible. If you are unable to get an appointment the first week, please be patient. More vaccine is coming to more providers, pharmacies and HCHD in the coming weeks. We are also working closely with Maryland Department of Health and Howard County Public School System to plan COVID vaccine clinics on school sites once ample vaccine supply is available," Rossman said.