District 6 Weekend Reader | What You Should Know about the COVID-19 Booster

Good Saturday Residents,

As you are aware, the County continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases, which has also increased the demand for vaccines, particularly booster doses.

The Prince George’s County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics are offering booster shots of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to any County resident age 18 and older as well as youth ages 12 to 15, following the FDA’s emergency use authorization, the CDC’s official recommendation, and the State of Maryland’s approval. Federal and state health regulators expanded the eligibility of booster shots to all adults who have received their initial two doses Pfizer or Moderna; booster shots for adults who received Johnson & Johnson were approved in October 2021. COVID-19 booster shots are also available at retail and grocery pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare providers throughout the County.

Have you received your booster?
If you are included in this number, you have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19.

Am I eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster?
* - Individuals who have received Pfizer and 12 or older are eligible to receive the booster.
* - Individuals who have received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson and are 18 or older are eligible to receive the booster.

When can I receive the booster?
* - At least 5 months after completing the primary dose series of Pfizer and at least 6 months after completing the primary dose series of Moderna;
* - At least 2 months after the single does of Johnson & Johnson;
* - Eligible individuals who have a preference for a vaccine brand may choose which vaccine brand they receive as a booster dose.

Wondering what the difference is between a booster shot and a third dose? Based on the latest CDC guidance, the County Health Department also offers third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 5 and up with weakened immune systems. Third doses for immunocompromised individuals should be administered 28 days after the second dose. It is important to know the difference between a third dose and a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Check out the updated graphic to the left from the County Health Department to learn more.

If you are eligible to receive the booster, please use this opportunity to get boosted. Getting boosted one way to combat the current surges in COVID-19 infections. To learn more about booster shots, or to locate a vaccine clinic near you, visit: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3730/COVID-19-Vaccine. Visit mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine for more information about COVID-19 vaccinations, including locations and hours of operation for vaccine clinics operated by the County and other public and private organizations.

As new information and updates on the County's effort to combat COVID-19 are made available, our office will continue to distribute that information through the Weekend Reader. Please distribute and share this newsletter with other District 6 residents and encourage them to sign up for the Weekend Reader, providing you with additional constituent resources, agency updates and additional infographics and updated information on COVID-19 data trends.  As Council prepares to convene for Legislative Year 2022 next week, I invite you to sign up for Council Connection, the Council's weekly electronic newsletter, providing you with a weekly wrap-up of all Council activity including links to Council sessions and committee meetings.

If you have any questions or concerns, please provide your feedback via e-mail to councildistrict6@co.pg.md.us.

Wishing you continued health and safety this week and beyond. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Prince George's County Health Connect presents Making Good Health Insurance Choices (1/11/2021)

Residents are invited to join Prince George's County Health Connect for a virtual presentation on Making Good Health Insurance Choices, Tuesday, January 11 at 6:00PM.

Open enrollment ends next week for 2022 health coverage.  Join them to learn more about health insurance options.

To join the meeting, visit the following Zoom link: https://pgcps.org-org.zoom.us/j/88582887288?pwd=dEIBZ1BTczhwZFM2UDEvWURemk3QT09.

The meeting ID and password can be found below:

Meeting ID: 885 8288 7288
Password: 011072

For additional information, please click on the flyer to the left for an enlarged view. Residents can enroll for health insurance at https://pgchealthconnect.org.

County Residents Are Invited to Become
Members of the New Police Accountability Board

The Office of Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is accepting letters of interest and resumes for individuals interested in serving on the new Police Accountability Board (PAB). The establishment of the PAB is a direct result of House Bill (HB) 670, titled Police Discipline and Law Enforcement Programs and Procedures, which is one of several bills passed by the Maryland legislature under the Police Accountability Act of 2021 that will take effect on Friday, July 1, 2022.

Under this bill, each county in the State is now responsible for creating a Police Accountability Board, whose purpose is to work with all law enforcement agencies in the County to improve matters of policing.

The Police Accountability Board will:

• Meet quarterly with County law enforcement leadership with the goal of improving policing in the County
• Appoint two civilian members to the Administrative Charging Committee and one civilian member to the administrative trial board(s)
• Receive complaints of police misconduct filed by members of the public
• On a quarterly basis, review the outcomes of disciplinary matters considered by charging committees
• Submit a report to the County Executive and County Council that identifies any trends in the disciplinary process of police officers in the County and makes recommendations on changes to policies that would improve police accountability in the County by December 31 of each year

If you would like to be considered for this seven-member Board, please submit a letter of interest and resume to pgcboardsvacancy@co.pg.md.us by Friday, January 14, 2022. Please note that you must be a Prince George’s County resident to serve on the Board, and that active police officers may not serve as a member of the Board. Successful candidates will be forwarded to the County Council for consideration and approval.

ALERT: Reopening of County
Government Buildings
(effective August 30, 2021)

Residents,

Effective Monday, August 30, 2021, County Government buildings reopened to the general public after months of planning for safe reopening and access to both citizens and employees. 

Please note that most County Government agencies will resume normal operations, encouraging residents to make appointments while also accepting walk-ins. Some agencies will require residents to make an appointment to receive in-person services. Residents are encouraged to review an agency’s website to verify if an appointment is needed prior to visiting, and for instructions on how appointments can be scheduled.

As a reminder, the current indoor public mask mandate applies to County Government buildings, meaning all employees and visitors must wear a mask regardless of your vaccination status.

To view a larger version of this flier, click the graphic above.

REMINDER: The Office of Community Relations
Presents a New and Improved PGC311

The Office of Community Relations made several new updates to the PGC311 system, creating a more efficient and collaborative experience when engaging with your local government along with an easier way to submit service requests and find information.

You can now submit service requests 24/7 through our new mobile app, desktop web portal, or by calling the PGC311 Call Center. And that’s not all! Here are some key features:

• Real-time updates: Previously, when you submitted a service request, you would get a message letting you know the request was submitted and then wait for someone to service your ticket. Now, you'll be able to submit your service ticket and receive real-time updates about when your ticket was received, the expected completion date, and an alert after the ticket is completed and closed.
• Knowledge articles: You’ll now have short articles that will help you process your service request and let you know what you need to do to be sure there is no delay in completing your request. We will also feature articles that allow you to quickly get answers to commonly asked questions.
• Easily submit a service request: When submitting your service request, you can now submit pictures to help us better understand what needs to be serviced and where.

The goal is to continue providing residents with exceptional service and bring new technologies to help you easily engage with your County government. Your feedback is welcomed throughout the rolling out of the new system and service offerings. If you’d like to learn more, please visit ocr.mypgc.us/PGC311.

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Relocation
(January 2022)

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the County Health Department has seen a dramatic increase in vaccine demand, especially for booster doses. In addition, many upcoming athletic events have been cancelled. As a result, the County’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Prince George’s Community College is relocating back to the Sports and Learning Complex beginning Tuesday, January 11. Individuals with appointments today, Saturday, January 8 through Monday, January 10 will be rescheduled.

County residents ages 18 years and older are eligible to receive a booster shot if they received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. Although walk-ins are accepted, appointments are highly encouraged. Free COVID-19 vaccines are also available at retail and grocery store pharmacies, urgent care facilities, and other health care providers in the County.

Additional information about COVID-19 vaccinations and additional vaccination sites can be found by visiting the County's Health Department's website.

REMINDER: Availability of COVID-19
Rapid Self-Test Kits through PGCMLS

With the rise in COVID-19 cases across the nation, the County Health Department also encourages residents to get tested.

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has been offering free COVID-19 at-home test kits at select library branches over the past several weeks. Due to high demand, kits availability is limited or out of stock at many locations. Individuals interested in picking up a test kit should call 240-455-5451 to verify availability prior to visiting a library branch to pick up a test kit. Updates will be provided to the community as availability increases.

Free COVID-19 testing is available to County residents, regardless of insurance coverage, at various locations throughout the County. The County Health Department and Office of Emergency Management continue to operate a COVID-19 testing clinic at the Bunker Hill Fire Station. Testing is available to County residents Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, on a walk-in basis only.

REMINDER: COVID-19 Vaccines Now
Available for Five to 11-Year Olds

Beginning Monday, November 8, residents ages five years and older will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free at the school mobile clinics. COVID-19 vaccines for eligible children will also be available at many pediatricians’ offices, retail and grocery store pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers throughout the County. COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children ages 5 and older in Prince George’s County are now available at the Sports and Learning Complex. Register here for an appointment.  Starting next week, the Health Department will operate COVID-19 vaccine clinics at County schools for residents ages five and older. Click here to make an appointment for your child at COVID-19 vaccine clinics at County schools.

Watch this brief YouTube video as Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter answers the question, “Should I get my child vaccinated against COVID-19?”  

To review additional information on COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11, click the graphic above.

3^rd Doses for Immunocompromised Individuals

Beginning Friday, August 20, the County Health Department began to administer third doses of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to immunocompromised residents (those with weakened immune systems) at the Sports & Learning Complex.

At this time, the CDC and FDA have not authorized additional Pfizer or Moderna doses for the general population, or for anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Eligible immunocompromised residents seeking a third dose do not need to receive it through the County Health Department.

Click on the flyer to the left to review additional details on eligibility and timeframe in which to receive the 3rd dose. To find the nearest vaccine site, visit: mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.

REMINDER: Prince George's
County Mask Mandate Expansion

Please be advised that effective Wednesday, October 6, 2021, all Prince George's County residents and visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear masks in all indoor public venues and businesses in Prince George’s County. “From the outset of this pandemic, we have been focused on policies that support the health and safety of our residents, while also ensuring residents and businesses have the resources they need to get by,” said  Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “We want to thank Prince Georgians for working together through this pandemic, because we have shown that we are a strong and resilient community where residents can always count on one another.”  To watch the press conference in its entirety, please visit the following embedded weblink. You may also review the official press release to gather additional details on the mask mandate expansion.  

The Health Department wants to remind residents that masks are required in all indoor public venues and businesses in Prince George’s County, including, but is not limited to restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, conference centers, and office settings. Similar to previous mask mandates, some exceptions apply, such as when an individual is actively eating or drinking or individuals who have a bona fide disability that prevents them from wearing a mask. Face coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the more contagious Delta variant, which is still spreading at a high rate nationwide, especially among the unvaccinated.

This pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, so it’s even more important to keep yourselves and your communities informed about COVID-19 and the latest updates by visiting the Prince George's COVID-19 Dashboard, designed to providing the latest information on COVID-19 data trends to the public. The
Prince George's Health Department is working closely with state and federal partners and is committed
to keeping all residents, employees, and visitors to Prince George’s County safe and healthy. Additional guidance can be found on the County's official Coronavirus web portal including fact sheets and various infographics to assist in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Be Safe. Be Well. Be Informed.

Who Is Eligible?

Who can receive a COVID-19 vaccine? All Marylanders over 5 years of age! Getting the vaccine protects you, your loved ones, and your community.

#DidYouKnow that appointments are no longer necessary at all COVID-19 vaccine clinics operated by the County Health Department? Individuals who live or work in the County can walk up to County Health Department vaccination clinics with no appointment needed. However, should residents wish to book an appointment in advance, they can visit mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.

While the County Health Department now operates only one standing vaccination clinic in the County, in addition to nine mobile vaccination units, there are a number of vaccination sites available in Prince George’s County that are not operated by the County. Please remember that the County does not manage nor control appointments or distribution for any sites besides those operated by our County Health Department.

Prince George’s County Health Department

• Locations: Prince George's Community College and Mobile Vaccination Units.
• Appointments: Individuals who live or work in Prince George’s County should visit mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine to view clinic hours or schedule an appointment directly. Individuals who cannot schedule an appointment online on their own should call 311 and press # for assistance.
• Residents can also view a calendar of mobile vaccination clinics here.

For State Regulated Sites:

Additional Non-County Operated Sites 

• Please use our County Vaccine Locator to find additional vaccination sites operated by pharmacies, hospitals and other healthcare partners.

Please remember that the County does not manage nor control appointments, or
distribution for any sites besides those operated by our County Health Department.

COVID-19 Symptoms Reminder

Be sure you know the symptoms of COVID-19 and the warning signs if you need to get medical help right away. The County Health Department urges residents to get tested if you feel sick or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (or you suspect you have been exposed after attending large social or mass gatherings). It’s also a good idea to get tested before traveling. To find testing locations across the County and for additional testing information, visit health.mypgc.us/COVIDtesting.