COVID vaccine

Maryland hospitals announced Wednesday they will require the COVID-19 vaccine for their employees.The Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) wrote in a statement that health systems and hospitals have agreed to set dates after which COVID-19 vaccines will become mandatory for employees.

Some health experts are questioning the CDC’s new masking guidelines. The agency announced Thursday afternoon that fully vaccinated people can go unmasked in most indoor settings.

Masks are no longer required indoors except on public transportation and in schools and healthcare settings.

Gov. Larry Hogan is lifting all pandemic-related capacity restrictions on businesses beginning Saturday.

A CDC advisory panel gave the green light Wednesday afternoon for vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine.

The CDC is set to make recommendations Wednesday for vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds for COVID-19. The FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine for that age group Monday.

“We still have a ways to go before we can declare mission accomplished.” Gov. Larry Hogan

Maryland is pausing use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at the advice of the CDC and FDA, after six recipients developed extremely rare blood clots.

The Baltimore City Health Department has opened an online interest form for all residents 16 and older who want the COVID-19 vaccination.