(12/20) Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) is working with local partners to ensure a safe and orderly plan for distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. Planning began over the summer, and vaccine is anticipated to become available in small amounts over the next several weeks. FCHD will be practicing their plans to receive and distribute vaccine to ensure the process will be efficient and successful.
"We are grateful for and proud of our strong community partnerships that have allowed us to prepare aggressively and respond innovatively to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we are pulling together to get ready for distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine," said Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Frederick County Health Officer. "We are also asking everyone who lives or works in Frederick County to take a short survey so we can learn more about your interest in a COVID-19 vaccine and make sure our plans address your questions and concerns."
Frederick County will follow a phased approach in alignment with the State of Maryland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The plan will initially prioritize populations with the highest risk of developing complications from COVID-19 and critical workers while vaccine is available in limited amounts.
Phase 1A: Vaccination of Critical Populations. Initial COVID-19 vaccination efforts will begin with Phase 1A, vaccination of Critical Populations. It will include critical health care workers, staff and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and first responders.
As more vaccine becomes available, Phase 1 may expand to include additional essential workers and adults with medical conditions that put them at high risk. Planning on this later portion of Phase 1 is still in progress.
Vaccination of general public will begin in Phase 2. The timing of Phase 2 will be influenced by a number of factors:
- Availability of COVID-19 vaccine
- Notification by CDC and state authorities that the general public Phase 2 can begin due to sufficient supply
- Achievement of targeted metrics for vaccination of high priority Phase 1 groups
Plans for local vaccine distribution are being developed by FCHD in partnership with the Frederick County Department of Emergency Services, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick County Department of Public Works, Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services, Frederick Health Hospital, Frederick Police Department, and long-term care facilities. As planning expands through the phases, additional partners will be involved.
Additional information on local planning and availability of COVID-19 vaccine will be shared as it becomes available. For local COVID-19 updates, information and data, please visit health.frederickcountymd.gov/coronavirus.
