How Many Howard County Residents Have Been Vaccinated: April 20

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — As of April 20, 152,919 (47 percent) Howard County residents have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 108,173 people (33.2 percent) have been fully vaccinated. There have been 18,554 total coronavirus cases so far as of April 20 and there are 9,584 active cases.

"We continue efforts to get more residents vaccinated while combatting increases in cases and hospitalizations ... Cases are predominantly among those not fully vaccinated with an average age of 31 years ... Given the continued prevalence of cases within our community and until everyone is vaccinated, we must continue to be diligent by wearing facial coverings, physically distancing, avoiding large gatherings and getting tested when exposed or when symptoms develop," Howard County Health Officer Maura Rossman said.

The vaccine supply in Maryland is slowly increasing despite the pause of the J&J vaccine last week, Rossman shared. Maryland and all other states will receive less supply of vaccine for the next several weeks, she noted.

In light of blood clot concerns linked to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged providers to stop using it for the time being.

Lisa DeHernandez, public information officer for Howard County, told Patch that 400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the county.

"We are not aware of any reports of blood clots or other serious side effects from J&J, nor any other administered vaccine," Hernandez said.

At this time, there are no Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinics scheduled as the county's supply of this particular vaccine has already been used up, Hernandez added. She said some pharmacies in the area have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but wasn't sure which ones.

Walgreens stated that it would be pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine "immediately." Wegmans has canceled all Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments while it is being investigated. CVS also said it was halting use of this particular vaccine.The Maryland Department of Health reports 173,534 people have received the J&J vaccine in Maryland as of Tuesday.

"Based on the federal government's recommendation and out of an abundance of caution, the Maryland Department of Health directs all Maryland COVID-19 vaccine providers to pause the administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines until further federal guidance is issued," the Maryland Department of Health said in a statement Tuesday morning. "Providers should continue to maintain their supplies of Johnson & Johnson vaccines in a manner that prevents wastage."

"We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution," Dr. Peter Marks of the FDA and Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC said in a joint statement.

Per the governor's guidance, Phase 1C includes:

• Adults aged 65-74
• Essential healthcare workers not in Phase 1A
• Critical manufacturing workers
• U.S. Postal Service and mass public transit workers
• Veterinarian and support staff
• Clergy/other essential staff for houses of worship
• Food/agriculture production workers
• Grocery store and food bank workers
• Certain immunocompromised individuals

Effective March 23, all residents ages 60 and older became eligible to be vaccinated. As of March 30, all residents 16 and older who have underlying medical conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19 illness became eligible.

Effective April 13, the following groups are eligible:

• Residents ages 55+
• Workers in the following areas:

* Essential construction* Food services* Utilities* Transportation* Financial* IT workers*

Beginning April 27, all residents ages 16 and older will be eligible.

Residents in all phases who are interested in receiving the vaccine are encouraged to complete the county's vaccine interest survey at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/MM-Alerts-and-Recalls/COVID-19-Vaccine.