Maryland Releases Seasonal Vaccine Guidelines Including COVID, Flu, and RSV Vaccines

The Maryland Department of Health has released its comprehensive 2026-2027 vaccine schedules and recommendations for both children and adults across the state, as reported by the department. These updated guidelines are designed to provide clear, science-based information to residents in preparation for the upcoming respiratory virus season. The department’s initiative is a direct result of the recently enacted Vax Act, which decouples state recommendations from those issued by the Federal Government.

The Vax Act empowers the Maryland Health Secretary to establish official state immunization recommendations, grounded in scientific evidence and clinical guidance from leading medical associations. This legislative action represents a significant commitment by the state to ensure that crucial vaccines are not only accessible and convenient but also remain free of out-of-pocket costs for Marylanders. To achieve this, insurers are now required to cover all routine state-recommended immunizations without any additional charges to the patient. Furthermore, the act expands the scope of practice for pharmacists, allowing them to administer recommended vaccines to individuals aged three and older without requiring a prescription.

The guidelines released by the Maryland Department of Health are informed by the latest recommendations from prominent medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The department has emphasized that these recommendations serve as a public education tool, intended to be easily understood and utilized by the general public. The information is available online and in printable PDF formats on respective organization websites.

Key vaccines covered in the updated recommendations include those for COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), all of which are significant respiratory viruses that can lead to severe illness, hospitalization, or even death.

“At the Maryland Department of Health, our goal is to provide clear, clinically-backed information that allows both providers and residents to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families,” said Public Health Services Deputy Secretary Dr. Meg Sullivan. “Vaccines remain essential to protecting ourselves, our families and our communities against preventable illnesses. MDH encourages people to speak with their healthcare providers about what is right for them.”

In addition to these seasonal vaccines, Maryland health officials are reiterating the importance of other routine immunizations, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine, which is typically administered at birth. It is important to note that these new recommendations do not introduce any new vaccine mandates, and existing school entry requirements in Maryland remain unchanged. But while the state has a 96% vaccination rate for Kindergarten students for mandatory vaccines, seasonal vaccinations, especially for COVID-19, are much lower.

In the 2024-2025 season, only 13.6% of the state had up-to-date COVID-19 boosters, according to the Maryland Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.

The CDC has been unable to issue updated vaccine guidelines due to ongoing legal challenges. In February, the Maryland AG Brown and other AGs across the country challenged modifications to the Federal Government’s vaccine schedule. The core of the challenge lies in a January 5, 2026, CDC “Decision Memo” that downgraded the recommended status of seven childhood vaccines—those for rotavirus, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—from universally recommended to a lesser status.

Uninsured or underinsured Marylanders can access recommended vaccines at no cost through the Maryland Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and the Maryland Vaccine Program.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Attorney General, and the CDC

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