Maryland health officials released their guidance on vaccines ahead of the fall flu season, making use for the first time of new legal authority to split from federal authorities. "We recognize Marylanders are facing back-to-school germs and the upcoming respiratory virus season, all while navigatin…
Maryland health officials released their guidance on vaccines ahead of the fall flu season, making use for the first time of new legal authority to split from federal authorities. "We recognize Marylanders are facing back-to-school germs and the upcoming respiratory virus season, all while navigating shifting vaccine guidance from the federal government," Dr. Meena Seshamani, Maryland health secretary, said during a news conference Thursday. The associations include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Cases of COVID, flu and RSV are all still low, according to the state dashboard as of Sept. 4, but last year's flu season was rough. Officials noted that Maryland requires insurers to cover the shots they recommend and pharmacists can administer recommended vaccines to those ages 3 and older without a prescription. State health officials are providing recommendations for providers and the public on vaccinations for children: - On flu: one dose of the annually updated vaccine at age 6 months and older - On COVID: a dose, possibly more, of the annually updated vaccine after age 6 months - On RSV: one dose by age 6 months and another later for children at high risk Vaccines for polio, hepatitis, chickenpox and others are also recommended as a matter of routine, or to catch up. Several are required for schoolchildren. State officials recommend vaccinations for adults:
- Annual updated shot or nasal spray for those ages 19 to 49 - Annual shot but not the nasal spray for pregnant women and those ages 50 to 64 - An annual high-dose vaccine for those 65 and older
- Annual updated shot for those ages 19 to 64 and pregnant women - An annual shot for those 65 and older and a second dose 6 months later
Maryland offers its own vaccine guidance for the first time since split from feds
A dose for those ages 19-49 if immunocompromised and ages 50 to 74 if at high risk - A dose for for all those ages 75 and up - A dose for pregnant women at 32 to 36 weeks if not previously vaccinated Other vaccinations are recommended, such as the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine for pregnant women, while others are not recommended except in certain circumstances. That includes the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for adults who were never vaccinated, given the recent outbreaks. "Vaccines remain essential to protecting ourselves, our families and our communities against preventable illnesses," Sullivan said. The health department, she added, "encourages people to speak with their healthcare providers about what is right for them."
