Maryland Department of Health
Carroll County Health Department

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Flu and Other Respiratory Vaccines

​​​​​​​​​Vaccination against flu, RSV, and COVID-19 is the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness from these viruses. Learn more on the Maryland Department of Health's Respiratory Illness FAQ​. 

​DRAFT - Maryland Respiratory Vaccine Recommendations Graphic.png

Links to guidance: ¹ American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ² American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) ³ American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG)​ ⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)​ ​​​

​​​​
​​​​​​​​​Click for a list of flu clinics and pharmacies where you can get the flu and other vaccines:​

Carroll County Adult Flu Vaccination Resource Sheet 2025

Carroll County Parent Child Flu Vaccination Resource Sheet 2025​

​

​Flu

  • Everyone 6 months and older should get this season’s annual flu vaccine,​​ except for people who have severe allergies to the flu vaccine or its ingredients. People with an egg allergy can get the flu vaccine.​
  • Children aged 6 months to 8 years who did not receive 2 flu vaccines before July 1, 2025 should get a second dose 4 or more weeks after the first dose.
  • Adults 65 and older should receive the high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine to get the best protection, if available.​​
  • Learn more on the Maryland Department of Health's Respiratory Illness FAQ.

  • Nasal flu vaccine: FluMist

    • FluMist (by AstraZeneca) is a nasal flu vaccine that can be given to people 2-49 years old. 

    • Talk to your doctor to see if you or your child can get FluMist. Those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, may not be able to get FluMist.

    • Visit the FluMist website to find a pharmacy near you that has FluMist available. FluMist is generally carried at Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Wegmans.

    • FluMist can also be delivered directly to your home. Visit the FluMist website to order.


COVID-19

  • COVID-19 vaccines are ​​​​available in Maryland. Vaccine protection decreases over time, so it is important to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine.
  • COVID-19 vaccines continue to be a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness due to COVID-19. ​​

  • Maryland's clinical vaccine guidance for the 202​5-26 respiratory virus season is based on an assessment of population risks, a review of scientific literature and consultation with medical associations. The guidance aligns with updated guidance released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).​ ​

  • Right now, Marylanders 6 months and older should have access to a COVID vaccine if they want one. A 2024 Maryland law allows pharmacists to administer flu and COVID vaccines without a prescription to anyone 3 years and older. ​

  • Contact your pharmacy or healthcare provider before you make an appointment to ask about vaccine availability and eligibility. The Maryland Department of Health will work closely with our partners to ensure the vaccine is widely accessible across Maryland.​ 

  • Private insurance and Medicaid should cover the cost of the COVID vaccine in most cases. Maryland law requires regulated insurers to cover the COVID-19 vaccine. Maryland is unable to regulate self-funded health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Tricare, or Veterans Administration benefits under federal law. However, America's Health Insurance Plans recently announced a commitment by health plans to continue coverage of COVID vaccines at zero cost-share through 2026.​ ​Please check with your insurance or health care provider for more information.​
  • Learn more on the Maryland Department of Health's Respiratory Illness FAQ​.​ 


RSV​

  • If you are pregnant and have not had the RSV vaccine before, you should get the RSV vaccine​ (Pfizer's Abrysvo) if you are between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant from September through January. This will protect your baby during their first 6 months, when they are at highest risk of severe illness from RSV.​
  • If you did not get the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, your baby should get an RSV antibody treatment if they are younger than 8 months shortly before the RSV season, or within one week of their birth if born October - March.
  • The RSV antibody treatment ​is also recommended for some children aged 8 months to 19 months at increased risk for severe RSV disease.
  • Adults 75 years and older and adults ages 50-74 with chronic healt​h conditions may receive one dose of RSV vaccine. RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, so you do not need to get a dose every RSV season. If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another dose at this time.
  • Learn more on the Maryland Department of Health's Respiratory Illness FAQ​.​