Protein-based COVID shots available for free through the county health department

Mike Lewis, The Herald-Mail
·2 min read
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The Washington County Health Department is offering Novavax, the first protein-based COVID-19 vaccination product recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization.

There is no cost for the vaccinations.

Latest report: Washington County's COVID cases up; Maryland cases holding steady

According to county and state statistics, Washington County’s positivity rate for COVID-19 is back up to 15%, and more than one-third of residents are still not fully vaccinated against the virus.

“We believe that misinformation which circulated about the previous mRNA vaccine products from Pfizer and Moderna scared some people who then avoided getting the shots to help fight COVID-19. But perhaps this more commonly known kind of vaccine that Novavax now offers will bring more adults in to see us to get this incredibly important protection,” Dr. Diana Gaviria, deputy health officer, said in the news release.

Illustration of COVID-19 virus.
Illustration of COVID-19 virus.

“This vaccine uses a different technology than the previous three options the public has had when fighting COVID-19, meaning the actual protein made outside of the body is injected along with an immune stimulant to get a better immune response,” she said. “All of the previous vaccines introduce a 'genetic recipe' for the spike protein found in the coronavirus into our cells and then our own cells make the protein to which our immune system responds.”

Dr. Diana Gaviria
Dr. Diana Gaviria

Novavax uses an older technology for vaccine development, similar to those used for decades to combat diseases including hepatitis B, Human papillomavirus (HPV) and influenza.

Adults 18 and older interested in receiving the two-dose, primary series of vaccinations can find the list of available clinics on washcohealth.org in the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics section.

Patients may walk in or register for a specific appointment time through the website or by calling 240-313-3456.

During the pandemic, Washington County has recorded more than 37,414 cases of the virus and more than 590 related deaths.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County Health Department has Novavax shots for COVID-19