We know that many in our community have questions about the COVID-19 Vaccine. We are still learning about the vaccine and Maryland’s plan to administer the vaccine. We will update this page as we know more.

To learn more about the vaccine and UMBC’s role in developing and testing it, watch President Hrabowski in Finding Hope – A COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall.

When and how can I receive a vaccine?
Please review Maryland’s Vaccine distribution plan. At this time, we are encouraging our community members to sign up for the vaccine registry created by their county health department. You should be able to access this by searching with your zip code on the website. UMBC employees can also register with the Baltimore County Health Department even if they do not live in Baltimore County. Please indicate that you are a higher education professional.

Will UMBC be providing vaccines?
The COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee is actively investigating this possibility at both the county and state level. We have not yet received guidance from the health department regarding obtaining our own supply. At this time, we encourage you to follow the instructions above. We will update the community if this changes.

If I received the vaccine and am approved to be on campus, do I still have to test and symptom track?
Individuals who have received a vaccine and are approved to be on campus will still need to comply with testing and symptom tracking requirements. Too little is currently known about how the vaccine affects transmission and how long it is effective. In addition, it is believed that it is still possible for you to develop and/or transmit COVID before receiving a vaccine and for several weeks afterward. We recognize that more information is becoming available regularly and plan to continue to evaluate this guidance and make changes as appropriate, in accordance with CDC, state, and local public health guidance. You can read more from the CDC here.

Are UMBC faculty included as “teachers” in phase 1b?
We have received notice from the University System of Maryland that higher education employees participating in face-to-face instruction or working on the physical campus are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1b and Phase 1c of Maryland’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Currently this applies to faculty, staff, and frontline contractual workers, not students. Students may be eligible for other groups based on age or if they work in healthcare settings.