Baltimore — The Maryland Department of Health issued clinical guidance for health care providers and recommendations for the public on immunizations against respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 and influenza for the 2025-2026 season. The department also released a standing order to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines and joined the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to coordinate with neighboring states on evidence-based health measures. These steps, announced September 19, 2025, aim to maintain broad vaccine availability amid evolving federal policies.
The guidance aligns with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians. It encourages providers to discuss vaccinations with patients and offer shots against the three viruses. For consumers, the department’s website lists updated immunization advice, including who should receive each vaccine and when. Individuals can consult providers to assess personal needs, with updates planned as federal directives change to stay rooted in scientific evidence.
“The Maryland Department of Health is focused on using evidence-based science to make decisions that best serve the people of our state. Research continues to show that vaccines are an effective way to keep our communities healthy,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Meena Seshamani, MD, Ph.D. “We encourage everyone to talk with a health care provider who can help assess your personal health care needs and determine if a vaccine is right for you.”
The standing order, effective September 19, 2025, and running through September 18, 2026, authorizes qualified health professionals, including pharmacists, to administer the latest COVID-19 vaccines. It covers individuals age 3 and older without requiring a prescription, building on state law that permits but does not mandate pharmacists to provide flu and COVID-19 shots to that age group. Providers must follow standards from the three medical associations and report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The order addresses potential gaps from recent federal shifts that limit recommendations to those 65 and older or ages 6 months to 64 with high-risk conditions like pregnancy, diabetes or obesity.
Maryland’s entry into the Northeast Public Health Collaborative marks a bipartisan effort with Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The group, formed after months of discussions, will develop vaccine guidance and public health responses independent of federal rules. It focuses on equitable access to care, emergency coordination and research sharing. Officials say the collaborative counters restrictive national policies by prioritizing science-driven decisions. New Hampshire opted out, while a similar West Coast Health Alliance unites California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Respiratory viruses like influenza, COVID-19 and RSV cause hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations nationwide each fall and winter, with thousands of deaths. In Maryland, the 2024-2025 season saw low but rising COVID-19 emergency room visits, totaling 1,317 active cases as of early September 2025. Vaccines remain a core prevention tool, safe to combine — COVID-19 and flu shots can occur simultaneously, though side effects like fatigue may increase slightly. For RSV, the vaccine targets adults 60 to 74 at higher risk from chronic conditions or long-term care living, and pregnant individuals between weeks 32 and 36 from September to January to protect newborns. Those vaccinated against RSV last year need no repeat dose.
In Southern Maryland, where communities along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay face seasonal virus spikes from close-knit gatherings and tourism, access points include local health departments in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The St. Mary’s County Health Department offers clinics for routine immunizations, including flu and COVID-19, at sites like the Leonardtown location on Route 5. Residents can schedule through MarylandVax.org, which lists free or low-cost options via the Vaccines for Children program for uninsured youth up to age 18. Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens in Lexington Park and La Plata stock updated shots, billing most insurances directly. Long-term care facilities, including those in Charlotte Hall, partner with pharmacies for on-site vaccinations.
Statewide, MarylandVax.org serves as the hub for flu and back-to-school clinics, while Vaccines.gov locates nearby pharmacies. The department’s site details no-cost options through Medicaid, Medicare and the Bridge Access Program for uninsured adults. In St. Mary’s County, population about 113,000, health officials emphasize early uptake — the county’s 2024 flu vaccination rate reached 52 percent among adults, above the state average of 48 percent. Providers there, like MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, integrate respiratory shots into well visits, aligning with the new guidance.
The collaborative’s first recommendations endorse COVID-19 shots for healthy children 6 months to 2 years and pregnant women, diverging from federal limits. Maryland’s law requires insurers and Medicaid to cover federally recommended vaccines through 2025, but the standing order extends state-backed access. Officials monitor uptake, with 2024 COVID-19 rates at 32 percent statewide.
This framework positions Maryland to handle variants, with the Novavax protein-based option available as a two-dose series for those 18 and older.
