The new location for this page is
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/

Vaccine Priority Groups

Updated January 26, 2021

DO NOT SHARE LINKS TO VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.

People who have NOT received a link directly from Montgomery County, and who come to a County vaccination clinic, WILL be turned away.

Progress through the tiers depends on the vaccine deliveries we receive from the State of Maryland and the federal government.

Priority 1A

Tier 1

*** We are currently in this tier. ***

Hospital systems are responsible for vaccine administration to hospital-based healthcare workers. The CDC's Pharmacy Partnership is coordinating the distribution and administration of vaccination in congregant living facilities.

Preregister for an appointment
  • Hospital personnel
  • * Long-Term Care Facilities – staff & residents
  • * Developmental Disability Administration group homes
  • * Assisted Living Facilities
  • * Residential Rehabilitation Programs

* via pharmacy partnership

Tier 2

*** We are currently in this tier. ***

Populations with frequent exposure to individuals with known COVID-19 and/or providing services essential to the maintenance of public health and healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes populations unable to work from home and unable to control social distancing. 

Preregister for an appointment
  • EMS
  • Vaccinators (Local Heath Departments, school nurse, etc.)
  • Testing sites – testers/onsite registration
  • Public Health – COVID response
  • Urgent care
  • Primary care

Tier 3

*** We are currently in this tier. ***

Populations with risk of exposure to individuals with suspected COVID-19 and/or providing services essential to the maintenance of public health and health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes populations that may be unable to work from home and unable to control social distancing.

Preregister for an appointment
  • Dental practices
  • Pharmacists
  • Other health care professionals (e.g., outpatient specialties, optometrists, physical therapists, podiatrists, community health workers, in-home nursing staff)
  • Patient-facing, licensed social workers
  • Detention Center staff
  • Homeless shelter staff
  • Law enforcement (patrol/public-facing)
  • Fire rescue
  • 9-1-1 dispatchers
  • Behavioral health (non-telehealth) – e.g., residential/recovery
  • School nurses (non-vaccine/non-testers)
  • Lab workers
  • Morticians/funeral home staff
  • Surgical centers
  • Other providers licensed by Maryland Department of Health

Priority 1B

Tier 1

*** We are currently in this tier. ***

Adults age 75 and older

Preregister for an appointment

U.S. Census estimate: 73,000 residents

Tier 2

*** We expect to have preregistration for this tier later this week. ***

Front-line essential workers hold critical jobs essential to the functioning of society and have potential occupational exposure to individuals with COVID-19. A subset of frontline essential workers has the highest risk for potential exposure as they are unable to work from home or control social distancing.

  • Public transit workers (e.g. transport for seniors and persons with disabilities)
  • Education sector (teachers & support staff)
  • Child care workers
  • Food and agricultural workers
  • Postal service workers
  • Grocery store workers
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness
  • Individuals in detainee centers

Tier 3

*** We expect to have preregistration for this tier later this week. ***

Front-line essential workers hold critical jobs essential to the functioning of society and have potential occupational exposure to individuals with COVID-19. A subset of frontline essential workers has the highest risk for potential exposure as they are unable to work from home and may be unable to control social distancing. 

  • Manufacturing workers

Priority 1C

Tier 1

*** We expect to have preregistration for this tier later this week. ***

Adults age 65 to 74

U.S. Census estimate: 91,000 residents

Tier 2

*** We expect to have preregistration for this tier later this week. ***

Populations with high-risk medical conditions have a significantly increased risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Nearly 90% of persons hospitalized for COVID-19 have an underlying medical condition.

  • Adults 16(18)-64 years old with medical conditions

High-risk medical conditions include:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • Heart conditions
  • Immunocompromised state
  • Obesity/Severe obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Smoking
  • Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes
  • Asthma (moderate-severe)
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Hypertension or High Blood pressure
  • Immunocompromised conditions (from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication)
  • Dementia, ALS, other neurologic issues
  • Liver disease
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Thalassemia

Tier 3

*** We expect to have preregistration for this tier later this week. ***

Other attributes that put people at significantly higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness include living and working in congregate settings, experiencing homelessness, living in an area with a high rate of transmission, and working in an industry with a high rate of transmission.

  • Essential workers not previously in Phase 1A or Phase 1B
  • Transportation & logistics
  • Water and wastewater
  • Food service
  • Shelter & housing (e.g., construction)
  • Finance (e.g., banks)
  • IT & Communications
  • Energy
  • Legal (state’s attorneys, public defenders, judiciary)
  • Media
  • Public Safety (e.g., engineers)
  • Public health workers – non-COVID response
  • Social & Human Services (Aging, DSS, Human Services) – field/in-home services
  • Continuity of government (elected officials)