COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form Launches In Baltimore County

Elizabeth Janney
Updated ·3 min read

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The Baltimore County Health Department has created a registry for those who want to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Registering to be put in line for the vaccine does not equal an appointment, health officials advise.

"We will vaccinate as many of our residents as possible, and we will do it as quickly as we are able to save lives and see the end of this deadly pandemic,” County Executive Johnny Olszewski said in a statement Friday upon the release of the registry.

More than 1,000 Baltimore County residents have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, according to state health data released Friday, Jan. 15.

Baltimore County has 43,403 confirmed cases of the virus, and 1,016 residents have died from COVID-19, the Maryland Department of Health reported Friday.

"The Baltimore County Department of Health stands ready to successfully administer every dose of the vaccine we receive,” Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch said in a statement. "Executing an efficient vaccination plan saves lives and that is our primary goal here in Baltimore County."

Since receiving the first shipment of vaccine on Dec. 23, 2020, the Baltimore County Department of Health reports it has administered 10,715 vaccine doses of the vaccine as of Friday, the most of any local health department in Maryland. An additional 5,850 doses are scheduled to be administered next week, county health officials say.

The COVID-19 vaccine registration form is at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccineregistry.

Here is how the process goes:

  • Fill out the online form that says whether you live or work in Baltimore County and identifies what group you are in for vaccination, based on your health conditions, living situation or job.

  • Baltimore County will contact you with information about how to schedule an appointment once you are eligible and when vaccines are available.

After filling out the form, people will get this message: "Thank you for filling out the Baltimore County COVID-19 vaccination request form! As a reminder, this form is NOT your registration for a COVID-19 vaccination. Once you become eligible AND when vaccines are available, you will be contacted by Baltimore County staff with additional information about how to schedule your appointment. Residents should regularly check Baltimore County's COVID-19 webpage and social media pages as well as stay tuned to local media for the latest updates. Please note: There is limited supply of vaccine nationwide. Please be patient as we work to provide everyone in our priority groups with an opportunity to make a vaccine appointment."

Each week, the Baltimore County health department will schedule vaccine clinics for the next week, dependent on how many vaccines it receives from the state. Once clinics are scheduled, the department reports it will email a limited number of eligible individuals with appointment sign-up links.

Visit baltimorecountymd.gov/vaccine for updates.

Since it will take time to get to all eligible groups, health officials advise residents to continue to wear masks, keep at least 6 feet of distance between one another and avoid large gatherings.

As of Friday, Jan. 15, the Baltimore County Department of Health is in phase 1A of Maryland's vaccination plan. Phase 1A includes health care workers, first responders, residents and staff of long-term care facilities and other public safety personnel.

Maryland will enter phase 1B of its vaccine distribution plan Monday, Jan. 18, which will include those age 75 and older, workers in education and government and assisted living and other congregate settings.

Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Health.

Here is how Baltimore County characterizes those in phases 1A and 1B:

Phase 1A

  • Health care workers

  • First responders

  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities

Phase 1B

  • Residents 75 years and older

  • Residents in assisted living, independent living, developmental disabilities or behavioral health group homes and other congregate facilities

  • High-risk incarcerated individuals

  • Individuals involved in continuity of government vaccinations

  • Individuals providing continuity of government, education, including K-12 teachers, support staff

  • Child care providers

This article originally appeared on the Towson Patch