LEONARDTOWN, Md. – The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has updated the eligibility criteria for local SMCHD COVID-19 vaccination clinics to include:

• St. Mary’s County residents age 55 and older
• St. Mary’s County residents age 16 and older with a disability or with at least one the following underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness (COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Self Certification Form required at vaccination appointment – medical record/letter from doctor no longer needed):

  • Cancer
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Down Syndrome
  • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Overweight or Obese (body mass index [BMI] of 25 kg/m2 or higher)
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
  • Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
  • Liver disease
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Thalassemia

• Those in newly eligible occupational groups who currently work in St. Mary’s County OR are a St. Mary’s County resident serving another jurisdiction (requires documentation to verify occupational eligibility brought to vaccine appointment):

  • Telecommunications (includes repair and maintenance)
  • Public Safety (civil engineering, public works, hazardous materials management)
  • Shelter and Housing (construction, specialty trade, appliance stores/repair/maintenance, public housing agencies)
  • Custodial building services
  • Information technology
  • Finance (banks, accounting, credit, insurance)

For the full listing of currently eligible groups and registration for local SMCHD COVID-19 vaccination clinics, please visit www.smchd.org/covid-19-vaccine. New clinic registration links will be posted Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Eligible individuals are encouraged to review the allergy guidance and the FAQs for SMCHD COVID-19 vaccination prior to registering for a vaccine appointment. Appointment times are expected to fill quickly due to expanded eligibility. Medical conditions and occupational categories may be added to Phase 2 or clarified at a later date upon state guidance.

For local COVID-19 updates, information and data, please visit www.smchd.org/coronavirus or call the St. Mary’s County Health Department at 301-475-4330.