Many citizens across the country are receiving doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, bringing liveliness back into society. 

If you haven’t gotten a vaccination, go to a local government-owned community center, hospital, health clinic, or pharmacy to receive your first dose. 

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, both 3 weeks apart to properly augmentate your body. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine takes only one dose, but doesn’t stop the virus from infecting. The J&J vaccine only dulls down any symptoms from the virus itself. 

Age restrictions on vaccinations have been dropping sufficiently. Children and teenagers as of May 9 are now able to get Pfizer vaccines at ages 12-15. These increases of vaccinations for kids and teens have made it possible for parents to confidently send their young ones back to school. 

With Phase of the Pandemic Distribution Plan 3 active, school schedules give students the opportunity to go back to school for 4 to 5 days a week with recent developments in distributing COVID-19 vaccinations. This has been a fun opportunity for seniors to bond with their classmates before graduation and freshmans to get somewhat of a fresh start from middle school. 

Seniors and adults (18+) have access to all three vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J), while children and teenagers under the age of 18 are only allowed to receive the Pfizer. Moderna is said to be the most efficient working vaccination.

Back in December, 2020, Johns Hopkins Hospital was the first to hand out vaccinations to hospitals and first-responders in the state of Maryland. 

In early April 2021, teenagers ages 16+ were approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Maryland has government owned community centers, hospitals, health clinics, and local pharmacies all offering walk-in and scheduled vaccinations. Before citizens could walk in without an appointment to take their covid shot, shots had to be scheduled due to vaccines still being in the preliminary production phase.

Certain vaccination sites require proof of eligibility or identification in order to get your shot, so bring a driver’s license or other state-issued ID with name, age, state of residency, and/or health insurance.

Pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Sam’s Club don’t require appointments but still give out shots. You can walk into any of these establishments and ask about receiving your COVID-19 vaccine.

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