County Highlights

Various Frederick County healthcare organizations attend weekly vaccine meetings to communicate about county efforts and events

Attendees include members of the Frederick County health department, members of community orgs such as the Asian American Center, and Frederick Health (local hospital) staff and employees such as community health workers, marketing team, and administration

During meetings, the vaccine team shares local vaccine clinics efforts among other healthcare groups. This collaboration allows groups to discuss how vaccine clinics could be improved or how previous success could translate into other successful COVID- 19 vaccine clinics.

All of the vaccinating entities meet once a week to review the prior week’s efforts, and the schedule for the weeks to come. It is a continuously improving process.

Frederick County Maryland consistently updates their website to ensure the most up to date and factual information is available, as well as to post new vaccination events in Frederick County on their calendar.

Frederick County has a Joint Information Center (JIC) that offers press releases to the public. The purpose of this is to make sure the same accurate information is being shared across the county to the public. These press releases mention information such as the FDA approval of the vaccine, other COVID- 19 vaccine updates, where to get the vaccine, hotlines and other local resources that would enable the community to get vaccinated.

Frederick County conducted a survey to know the county’s interest in COVID-19 vaccination. This survey, in great detail, provides insight and shows the sentiments that county members have about the COVID- 19 vaccination. This has and will better equip Frederick County to understand and respond to the community with tactics to encourage COVID-19 vaccination.

The original task force also sent out a survey to all non-profit, faith based and service organizations in the County to ask them about resource availability and interest in hosting either an educational event or vaccine clinic.

The Frederick Health marketing team has been influential in the communications that are disseminated about COVID-19 vaccinations. The marketing team uses county data and other insights to provide up to date marketing materials to the public such as flyers for events and other print materials, educational materials, social media campaigns, etc. The team has also shared best practices and strategies for the promotion of the COVID- 19 vaccination, to increase vaccine uptake.

The Vaccine Task Force and hospital partners have engaged in aggressive educational events utilizing social media, webinars and in -person appearances to discuss COVID-19, the vaccine and to provide opportunities for hesitancy to be addressed. These would include town halls hosted by CareFirst, webinars hosted by the Health Department, and attendance at local events by trusted health care providers.

The Frederick County Health Care Coalition, Frederick Health, Frederick County Health Department, United Way of Frederick County, Asian American Center and Spanish Speaking Community of MD have been hosting monthly virtual community meetings with nonprofit orgs, govt staff, and community stakeholders to aid in the communication and outreach efforts and to help get feedback and input on increasing vaccination rates.

Partners have also been creative in reaching underserved or marginalized groups by meeting them where they live, worship, work and congregate. “Bundling” vaccine efforts with events that are already scheduled in the community such a food or diaper drops has increased education, awareness and uptake.

Frederick County facilitates access to COVID- 19 vaccination by offering other resources that may reduce barriers. These facilitators include a hotline for general vaccination questions, free childcare through the local Kindercare, Learning Care Group, and YMCA, and free Lyft rides to the vaccination site which can be scheduled on the phone in English and in Spanish.

Frederick County Community Health Workers are influential in the communication efforts and vaccine clinic efforts. Community health workers are skilled in providing relevant information for community members surrounding factual vaccine information, as well as dates, times and locations of events. Community health workers also staff vaccine clinics, ensuring a positive experience for everyone.

Frederick County hosts vaccine clinics in the community at local events (fairs, back to school events, etc.), community colleges, community centers, apartment complexes, etc. Most of these locations offer walk in vaccination if there are any remaining COVID- 19 vaccines.

Many of the Frederick County community organizations, healthcare organizations, and health department have joined efforts to provide mobile clinics in the community to increase vaccination uptake.

• The Ad hoc group was further divided into a pod structure,

  • Smaller groups, focused on different geographic areas and demographic communities, also met to strategize about vaccine outreach and clinics for their target populations

• The group also created a calendar of county-wide pop-up clinics

• LHIC partners and community organizations partnered to inform vaccine clinics and lead outreach efforts

  • For example: Mayan League; Langley Park Civic Association; La Union Mall manager and tenants; local businesses; office of Councilwoman Deni Taveras; apartment managers

• Mobile/pop-up model: mobile clinics at community gathering places, apartment complexes, and malls

  • Pop ups led by trusted organizations that get the word out are most effective

  • Pop ups that are not led by or tied to a familiar entity in the community are not likely to be impactful

• Barbershop vaccine clinics

• Provided clear messaging on what to expect and what to bring

  • Specified ID requirements and that insurance not required

  • Stated that the vaccine will be provided at no cost

  • Clarified what attendees will NOT be asked for

• Had health promoters to conduct registration in multiple languages, and have language interpretation, including sign language

• Used multiple forms of signage

  • Electronic road signs

  • Yard signs scattered throughout the community around the clinic to attract walk ups

  • Flyers and signage at nearby apartment complexes and businesses