Caroline County to Begin Phase 1B Vaccines for Seniors 75 and Older

Caroline County to Begin Phase 1B Vaccines for Seniors 75 and Older

The Caroline County Health Department has announced that it will be entering the public portion of Phase 1B on January 20, 2021. The first public Vaccine Clinic will be for adults 75 and older only.

In addition, starting the week of January 25, 2021, the Health Department will also begin vaccinating the portion of Phase 1C that includes adults over the age of 65. Given the limited availability of the vaccine, essential workers who are listed in Phase 1C will not be eligible to receive the vaccine until further notice.

“We are thrilled to be able to start protecting our seniors,” said Health Officer Laura Patrick. “Older adults are especially prone to severe cases of COVID-19 and it is important that we prioritize protecting our most vulnerable residents.”

“As a nurse, lifelong Caroline County resident, and Health Officer, I urge our seniors to take advantage of this opportunity to protect their health and help us beat COVID-19 by getting vaccinated as soon as they can.”

Vaccine Clinics will be offered on a weekly basis. However, Patrick urged residents to be patient with the process. “We are proud to have been #1 in the state for vaccine administration three weeks in a row, but it will take months to vaccinate our residents,” said Patrick. “Our small staff is working incredibly hard and I’m asking people to please be understanding.”

Patrick noted that the Health Department is entirely dependent on the State and federal government to receive doses of vaccine and that she only anticipates receiving a few hundred doses a week. “We will continue to move as fast as we can to get doses out into the community, but first we have to receive the doses in the county,” she emphasized.

First Vaccine Clinic for Adults 75 and Older

The first public Vaccine Clinic for those 75 and older will be Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

Registration will open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 8:00 AM. To register:

1. Go online to www.marylandvax.org. Search by Name of Location and enter Caroline County.

2. Contact our COVID-19 Call Center at (410) 479-8000 to register over the phone. Call volumes may be high, please be patient.

Individuals may complete the registration on behalf of their senior family members but will need their personal information and medical history to do so.

Vaccine Clinic requirements:

· You must register in advance for the Clinic.

· Walk-ins will not be accepted.

· You must be 75 and older and a resident of Caroline County.

· Eligibility will be verified by ID at the Clinic, so do not sign up if you are not eligible. You will be turned away and will have taken a vaccine appointment that could have helped someone else.

· Registered individuals will receive specific instructions regarding the Vaccine Clinic location and process at the time of registration.

About the Vaccine Clinics:

· We will have a limited number of doses each week.

· Appointments will be filled on a first come, first served basis

· Advance registration will always be required.

· Additional Vaccine Clinics will be held each week starting January 20.

Future Vaccine Clinics for Adults 65 and Older

Beginning the week of January 25, 2021, Caroline County will offer five Vaccine Clinics a week for all adults 65 and older.

Vaccine Clinics are subject to availability of doses and may be canceled without notice.

Advanced registration is required for all Vaccine Clinics. Register online at www.marylandvax.org or call (410) 479-8000.

· Tuesdays: Goldsboro and Federalsburg

· Wednesdays: Denton

· Thursdays: Greensboro and Preston

Questions about Vaccines

“Given how dangerous COVID-19 is for older adults, we know that many of residents are anxious to receive the vaccine,” said Patrick. “But like with any new treatment, we also know that some people have questions and concerns.”

To address those questions, the County has posted answers to a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions on our website at www.carolinecovid19.org/vax. Residents can also contact the Caroline COVID-19 Call Center with questions about the vaccine or COVID-19 in general at (410) 479-8000.

COVID-19 Testing

Patrick noted that Caroline County is continuing to experience high positivity rates and urged residents to continue to follow COVID-19 safety precautions. “These are shots of hope, but we can’t let our guard down. People need to continue to avoid gatherings, wear their mask, practice physical distancing, and wash their hands frequently,” she said.

The County is continuing to provide free community COVID-19 testing through a partnership with Choptank Community Health and the Health Department on the following schedule:

· Mondays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Greensboro Elementary School and Federalsburg Elementary School

· Tuesdays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Health Department in Denton

· Wednesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Greensboro Elementary School and Preston Elementary School

· Thursdays, 1:00 – 4:00 PM at the Health Department in Denton

Advanced registration is requested, which can be done by contacting (410) 479-8000.

Please visit www.carolinecovid19.org for more information Vaccine Clinics and testing.