COVID 19 Vaccine Update
PENNSYLVANIA
WellSpan is following the phased roll-out plan for COVID-19 vaccine determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
WellSpan is currently vaccinating people in Phase 1A, which includes:
- Healthcare personnel, EMS first responders, critical workers maintaining core functions and long-term care facility residents.
- People ages 65 and older
- People ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus
When Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? (PDF poster)
COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
Due to the high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine, appointments are extremely limited. Appointments depend on vaccine availability. Please be patient as it may take several weeks until you are able to get an appointment to be vaccinated.
Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine
We encourage all individuals to create a MyWellSpan account to make the appointment scheduling process easier during this time of high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine.
If you qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine in the current vaccination phase:
You can schedule a vaccination appointment using your MyWellSpan account. You can also use your MyWellSpan account to prepare for your appointment with eCheckin, to schedule an appointment for your second vaccine dose, and to access your vaccination record.
Log in to MyWellspan Create your MyWellSpan Account
- Click ‘Appointments’
- Click ‘Schedule an Appointment’
- Click ‘COVID-19 Vaccine – First Dose’
- Answer the questions. If you are eligible and appointments are available, you will be able to schedule a vaccination. If appointments are not currently available, complete the questionnaire and you will be notified when appointments become available to you (based on eligibility and vaccine supply). Notifications will be made to those who submitted the interest form in the order received. It may be several weeks until you receive a notification.
Schedule by phone
Patients without a WellSpan primary care provider or who do not have a MyWellSpan account, can schedule through the COVID-19 Hotline: (855) 851-3641.
For help scheduling 2nd dose appointments, call (866)-638-1842 (select option 1 and then select option 2)
We appreciate your patience as we experience high call volumes. Hold times for the call COVID-19 Hotline and primary care provider offices will be longer than usual. Due to these high volumes on our phone lines, please do not call provider offices with medical emergencies. Please call 911.
If you do not qualify in the current vaccination Phase:
Please sign in to your MyWellSpan account and register your interest in the vaccine by completing the MyWellSpan “COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Questionnaire.” You will be notified when scheduling is activated for your Phase.
If you would like to schedule on behalf of a loved one, learn how to enable Proxy access to their account.
MARYLAND
MARYLAND HAS LAUNCHED A STATE-WIDE VACCINE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
RESIDENTS CAN PRE-REGISTER NOW AT COVIDVAX.MARYLAND.GOV OR 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).
- Vaccine appointments open up as supply from the state becomes available to Meritus Health.
- Active MyChart patient portal users can self-schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment as appointments become available.
- Meritus Health continues to follow Maryland Governor Hogan’s guidance on COVID-19 vaccine phases open in the state. Per Maryland guidelines, Meritus Health continues to vaccinate individuals who meet phase 1A, 1B and 1C criteria and will begin vaccinations for additional phases as directed by the state of Maryland.
- Washington County residents age 65 and older are also being vaccinated at the Meritus clinic
- Those at the highest risk will get first priority
- Vaccines administered only to those who have an appointment
- No walk-ins are accepted
- There is no vaccine scheduling phone line to schedule appointments
Meritus Health continues to thank the public for its patience as we work to get as many people in the community vaccinated quickly and safely.
HOURS OF VACCINE CLINIC
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday – 3 – 7 p.m.
WHERE DO I GO FOR MY SCHEDULED COVID-19 VACCINE?
- The clinic is located at Robinwood Professional Center – Atrium. (11110 Medical Campus Road, Hagerstown, MD 21740).
- Follow Meritus Vaccination Clinic signs to the Robinwood Professional Center – Silver parking lot and entrance.
- Enter the Silver entrance of Robinwood Professional Center.
- Signage will direct you to Suite 142 to check-in for your appointment.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME TO CHECK-IN FOR MY COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENT?
- Registration will occur in Robinwood Professional Center, Suite 142.
- Please bring your I.D (drivers license, state issued ID) and insurance card.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WHEN RECEIVING MY FIRST DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE?
- Once the first dose of the vaccine is given, you will be asked to sit for at least 15 minutes before you are able to leave so you can be monitored for any possible reactions.
- Light snacks and bottled water will be provided.
- You will receive V-Safe program information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that lists potential side effects and information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. You may register for the V-Safe program to document any side effects and receive important updates regarding the vaccine.
- Even after you have received your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine you should continue to practice the 3 W’s – wash your hands often, wear your mask and watch your distance. You are not immune from contracting COVID-19 after receiving the first dose of the vaccine.
THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS A TWO-DOSE VACCINE. WHEN DO I SHOW UP FOR MY SECOND DOSE?
- Both doses are necessary for maximum effectiveness.
- Your follow-up vaccine appointment will be scheduled at the time you check in for your scheduled appointment for the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
- You will receive a phone call and text reminders for your appointment to receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE
There are two COVID-19 vaccines that are approved by the Federal Drug Administration for emergency use and currently being offered at the Meritus clinic — one from Pfizer – BioNTech and one from Moderna.
Both vaccines are nearly 95 percent effective. This means that only 5 percent of those who received the vaccine later developed COVID-19.
The vaccines are not approved for children. The vaccines’ clinical trials did not test them in children, but study is ongoing. Children will not be vaccinated until additional studies are completed.
You need to get two doses of the vaccine 21 or 28 days apart (depending on which vaccine you get). Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were designed to impart immunity with two doses. You must get two of the same vaccine. There is no clinical evidence as to whether you develop significant immunity after the first dose, so it is important to get the second dose on schedule.
It takes two weeks from your second dose for immunity to develop. Vaccinated persons may still be able to transmit the virus to others. Current vaccine studies were not designed to determine if or how well the vaccines would stop transmission of the virus to others. This is why it is important to continue wearing a mask and practicing social distancing even after you have been vaccinated.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING MARYLAND’S COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN
WASHINGTON COUNTY INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE HERE: HTTPS://WWW.WASHCO-MD.NET/