Maryland Ensures Vaccine Access Amid Changing Mandates
As some states consider eliminating vaccine mandates, Maryland is taking steps to ensure that all residents have access to vaccinations, especially with flu season approaching.
Residents in Maryland can visit their healthcare providers or local pharmacies to receive vaccinations and guidance on which vaccines are advisable to safeguard against various viruses and illnesses.
The CDC recommends that individuals aged six years and older receive the flu shot.
This move comes after the FDA recently approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, but access is limited for certain high-risk children and adults.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed concerns about the ongoing changes in federal vaccine policy, stating, “The federal government’s rapid changes and unnecessary swirl around vaccine policy is harmful for Marylanders and all Americans, and could result in disastrous public health outcomes.”
Moore mentioned that the state is ready to navigate the challenges posed by federal vaccine guidance, especially as U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to promote anti-vaccine policies.
In a 2024 law, he allowed pharmacists to administer COVID-19 and flu vaccines to individuals aged three and over without needing a prescription.
Moore emphasized, “The health, safety and well-being of Marylanders and their loved ones are our North Star, and we will do everything in our power to ensure they have access to life-saving medicines like vaccines.”
Following Maryland’s lead, Massachusetts is also taking steps to protect vaccine access for its residents, while Florida is on the verge of becoming the first state to eliminate school vaccine mandates.
Surveys indicate that approximately 80% of U.S. adults believe children should be vaccinated to attend school, according to a Harvard/SSRS poll.
Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani remarked, “Vaccines continue to be one of the most powerful public health tools for safeguarding our people and communities against disease.”
