Many Talbot County residents are anxious to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, especially those most vulnerable to the virus. But with the vaccine has come an increase in complaints about fraudulent calls and scams.
According to Sheriff Joe Gamble, though other counties have reported such issues, his office has not yet received any complaints from Talbot County residents. Still, it pays to be cautious.
“In this day and time, you always have to be careful about giving out personal and financial information to people you don’t know,” he said.
Talbot County has successfully begun vaccinating those 75 and older. More than 650 residents who are 75 and older will have been vaccinated by the Talbot County Health Department and through private clinics.
For Friday’s clinic at the Talbot County Community Center, the 150 available slots filled almost immediately after health officials emailed a link to those who had pre-registered.
“We have been delighted by the strong response from our senior population which gives us great hope that we will soon flatten the curve of the spread of this virus,” said Dr. Maria Maguire, acting health officer for Talbot County. “Still, we must again ask our citizens to be patient.
“The process of vaccinating the entire county is a rapidly evolving situation that depends on many variables, include the availability of the vaccines,” Maguire said. “Under the current conditions, we expect that it could take three months to vaccinate all of Talbot County’s citizens who are aged 75 and older.”
The Talbot County Health Department has been limited only by the supply of vaccine it has received. Public health officials say they are ready and able to host more clinics for the public as more vaccine is allocated. The process for signing up for future vaccine clinics remains the same for the foreseeable future.
• Available vaccine appointments will be announced when the Talbot County Health Department receives a new supply of vaccines.
• At this time, only those in Phases 1A and 1B are able to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. Pre-registration information can be found on talbothealth.org or talbotcovid19.org.
• Only people who have registered for a vaccine appointment and have a confirmed appointment time should go to a vaccination clinic site.
• Other providers will soon begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations, with listings and more information at bit.ly/marylandvaccines.
To learn more about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Talbot County, visit talbothealth.org or talbotcovid19.org. To learn more about COVID-19 testing sites in each of Maryland’s counties, go to bit.ly/marylandvaccines.
If you suspect you have been the target of a scam, call the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office at 410-822-1020.
Key Points
• Health officials have been encouraged by the strong response from the senior population in Talbot County.
• More than 30% of Talbot County’s population is aged 65 and older, plus the area includes a robust population of healthcare workers.
• Talbot County currently receives approximately 600 vaccines from the State of Maryland each week. At this time, the demand for vaccinations greatly exceeds the supply.
• Vaccinating the county is an ever-changing process that depends on many variables, including the availability of the vaccines. The health department projects that it could take up to three months to vaccinate all of Talbot County’s citizens who are aged 75 and older under the current conditions.
Where to Find More Information
• CDC COVID-2019 Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Talbot County COVID-19 Information: www.talbotcovid19.org
• Shore Regional Health COVID Information: https://www.umms.org/shore/patients-visitors/coronavirus
• Maryland Department of Health Website: https://health.maryland.gov/pages/home.aspx
• Talbot County Health Department Website: https://health.maryland.gov/talbotcounty/Pages/home.aspx
• Maryland COVID-19 Website: https://governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus
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