• English
    X

    Google Translate Disclaimer

    The Maryland Department of Information Technology (“DoIT”) offers translations of the content through Google Translate. Because Google Translate is an external website, DoIT does not control the quality or accuracy of translated content. All DoIT content is filtered through Google Translate which may result in unexpected and unpredictable degradation of portions of text, images and the general appearance on translated pages. Google Translate may maintain unique privacy and use policies. These policies are not controlled by DoIT and are not associated with DoIT’s privacy and use policies. After selecting a translation option, users will be notified that they are leaving DoIT’s website. Users should consult the original English content on DoIT’s website if there are any questions about the translated content.

    DoIT uses Google Translate to provide language translations of its content. Google Translate is a free, automated service that relies on data and technology to provide its translations. The Google Translate feature is provided for informational purposes only. Translations cannot be guaranteed as exact or without the inclusion of incorrect or inappropriate language. Google Translate is a third-party service and site users will be leaving DoIT to utilize translated content. As such, DoIT does not guarantee and does not accept responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability, or performance of this service nor the limitations provided by this service, such as the inability to translate specific files like PDFs and graphics (e.g. .jpgs, .gifs, etc.).

    DoIT provides Google Translate as an online tool for its users, but DoIT does not directly endorse the website or imply that it is the only solution available to users. All site visitors may choose to use alternate tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use DoIT content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk. DoIT is not liable for any loss or damages arising out of, or issues related to, the use of or reliance on translated content. DoIT assumes no liability for any site visitor’s activities in connection with use of the Google Translate functionality or content.

    The Google Translate service is a means by which DoIT offers translations of content and is meant solely for the convenience of non-English speaking users of the website. The translated content is provided directly and dynamically by Google; DoIT has no direct control over the translated content as it appears using this tool. Therefore, in all contexts, the English content, as directly provided by DoIT is to be held authoritative.

    Maryland Department of Health
    Newsroom

    ​​​

    ​​​​topheader - FINAL.pngNovember 8, 2023

    Media Contact:

    Chase Cook, Acting Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649


    Maryland Department of Health expands statewide public awareness campaign urging Marylanders to vaccinate against COVID-19, flu and RSV 

     

    Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health expanded its statewide public awareness campaign highlighting the importance of preventing respiratory illness by getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine, annual flu shot and the new RSV vaccine for older adults and pregnant women. 


    The Vaccinate. Prevent. Protect. campaign informs Marylanders about the new vaccines available and why vaccination and prevention are the best ways to protect families against the triple viral threat of COVID-19, seasonal flu and RSV throughout fall and winter. 


    The campaign features statewide radio promotion in English and Spanish, and digital messaging, including content on the Department’s X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram accounts. 


     


    “The updated COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available, as are this year’s annual flu vaccine. We urge all Marylanders to get these two vaccines as soon as possible to be protected for the upcoming months,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott. “We are also excited that this year, for the first time, there are RSV vaccines and antibody treatments available for older adults, pregnant women, and newborns to protect our most vulnerable Marylanders against severe RSV infections.” 


    The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were approved on Sept. 12, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after prior approval by the Food and Drug Administration to protect against COVID-19 omicron variants: 


    • Marylanders 6 months and older can get the shot if it’s been at least two months since their last COVID-19 vaccine. 

    • Marylanders 5 and older can get the updated COVID-19 vaccine even if they have not gotten vaccinated for COVID-19 previously. 


    Annual flu vaccines are also now widely available at pharmacies and local health department clinics and from health care providers. It is safe and convenient to get both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time, according to the CDC.


    For Marylanders 60 and older, there is a new RSV vaccine that decreases the risk of severe illness from this respiratory virus. There is also now protection for babies in the form of a new vaccine for pregnant women in their third trimester, as well as a monoclonal antibody treatment for newborns and at-risk infants. 


    “We are in the season when cases of respiratory viruses, especially COVID, are beginning to rise as viruses spread,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “We urge people to take steps to prevent transmission of illness and continue to use the measures we have learned to protect against COVID, flu, and RSV, especially vaccination.”


    For more information about how to protect against COVID-19, flu, and RSV, visit health.maryland.gov/pha. Marylanders can also visit vaccines.gov for a listing of COVID-19 and flu shot sites near them. 


    ###


    Follow us at twitter.com/MDHealthDept and Facebook.com/MDHealthDept.