COVID Services

(updated Nov 29th, 2021)

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COVID Vaccines/Boosters

On Nov 29th, 2021, the CDC changed the recommendation for COVID-19 Booster Shots to be recommended for EVERYONE AGES 18 and older if it has been at least 6 months after receiving your primary vaccine series (or 2 months from after J&J dose).  This is because there is belief that the current vaccines are effective against severe disease in general and the new Omicron variant.

BWPC carries Moderna mRNA vaccines for boosters and/or initial series by appointment only for our current patients.  Please call 410-552-5050 ext 120 to be added to our schedule.   Eldersburg provides vaccines on Thursdays, Foundry Row provides vaccines on Tuesdays.  If you are interested in Pfizer, please use the local pharmacies.

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SICK VISITS – TELEHEALTH ONLY

Through the winter season, until further notice, all sick visits involving respiratory or ANY COVID related concerns – will require a telehealth visit (not in-person).  The policy intention is to be able to lessen exposures in our office space to the best of our ability.  

Every patient appointment will be screened to ask the following.  If YES to any of the below, we will establish a televisit to address your concerns:

Only after a completed telehealth visit and only if clinically necessary, a patient may be instructed to revisit in person at a later date in person – by clinician approval only.

If you want COVID testing and do NOT require medical advice or guidance, or if our appointment availability does not fit with your timing needs, here are a few other testing sites to consider:

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MASKING POLICY

We continue to enforce face mask use while in our office setting.  The CDC new guidelines on masking once fully vaccinated which is exciting news for daily freedom from masks in certain settings.  BW Primary Care’s buildings and waiting rooms will continue to require face masks due to the nature of protecting those who might have weakened immune systems.  A mask will also help to mitigate your own risk should an ill individual expose you while visiting our spaces.  We will provide a mask should you show up without one.  Thank you for your cooperation.

FLU SHOTS

Flu shots are available on a walk in basis at both locations during regular business hours and without an appointment.  During the month of October we successfully did drive thru sessions and we hope you appreciated this effort.  Our flu shots are preservative free, single doses available in both high dose (age >65, brand Fluzone) and regular dose (brand Fluvarix).

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COVID TESTING INFO

COVID Drive-Thru Testing at BWPC Eldersburg requires a telehealth appointment before it can be scheduled. For our patients we feel strongly that learning of context for your concerns will allow for us to give you the best and safest advice.  Based on your visit, you might be referred to our drive thru testing at designated times BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.  IMPORTANT – DO NOT walk into the office if you are sick.

If you want COVID testing and do NOT require medical advice or guidance (and without an appointment) – you may self-refer for testing at any of the Maryland testng sites which can be found on this page via a zip code search:  https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing.    The results of these tests are managed by the Department of Health in MD and you will receive a call from them when results are back.  Turn around is usually 3 days to <1 week.

Other testing resources/sites which might be helpful (again, WITHOUT MEDICAL GUIDANCE directly from us) include:

• https://www.lifebridgehealth.org/Main/COVIDTestingLocations.aspx – LBH hospital(s) drive thru sites by appointment and ExpressCare sites
• https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/covid-19 – home test
• https://www.vaulthealth.com/covid – home test
• https://www.letsgetchecked.com/us/en/home-coronavirus-test/ – home test

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MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT

SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies are FDA EUA approved for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection in individuals who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease or as a post-exposure prophylaxis for unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals who are high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.  It is not authorized for use in patients who are hospitalized with severe COVID-19.   Some studies show up to a 70% reduction in progression of COVID-19 related hospitalization or death in high-risk patients.

Monoclonal antibody drugs work to provide passive immunity by giving the body antibodies (or, man-made antibodies) to protect itself.  Vaccines, working in a similar way, provide active immunity with the body producing its own antibodies after an inoculation.

Please refer to this FACT SHEET on the treatment option.

Criteria include:

• age 12 or over
• symptoms less than 10 days, mild to moderate
• COVID positive result
• risk factors that include
  • Age ≥ 65
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 (or for pediatrics BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age)
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Immunosuppressive disease or receiving immunosuppressive treatment
  • Poorly controlled hypertension
  • Cardiovascular disease or Congenital Heart Disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Medical-related technological dependence (i.e. tracheostomy, gastrostomy)
  • Other medical condition or factor (i.e. race or ethnicity) that may place the patient at a higher risk for progression to severe COVID-19

The goal of this treatment to be eligible is to refer to an infusion center within 10 days of the start of symptoms.

*If monoclonal antibody infusion is received, it is recommended to delay any additional COVID vaccine doses for 90 days*

Patients of BWPC are required to have a tele-visit in order to be assessed and possibly referred to an infusion site.  Urgent care and ER settings can also assist with referral for monoclonal antibodies.   Please note that infusion centers are experiencing high volumes and can take several days to schedule appointments.

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VACCINE RESOURCES

*For questions about vaccine safety in women interested in pregnancy or who are currently pregnant/nursing, please read this document carefully:  COVID Vaccine Shared Decision Making Information for Pregnant People Updated 12.28.2020.  Basically, the decision is a personal one with multiple factors to consider the risks vs. benefits.  

*All Marylanders 12 and over will be eligible for vaccination through all providers. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only FDA authorized use vaccine for ages 12 to 17. 

The links to the county specific sites are still active:  

• General Maryland: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine
• Carroll County: https://cchd.maryland.gov/covid-19-vaccination/
• Baltimore County:  Baltimore County Dept of Health Vaccine Registry
• Howard County: vaccine.howardcountymd.gov
• Montgomery County: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/
• For those without internet access, please call 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) open 7am to 10pm seven days a week

*Retail locations have regular appointment postings:

• https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
• https://giantfood.com/pages/covid-info
• https://www.riteaid.com/covid-vaccine-apt
• You can also try this search site designed to help consolidate retail spots:  https://www.vaccinespotter.org/MD/

 

General FAQs

*FAQ – Should I get the vaccine? 

Yes, as a practice we believe the benefits outweigh the risks and has a 95% efficacy at preventing the disease. It will not give you COVID but you might have mild side effects (like flushing, body aches, low grade fever/chills, and arm soreness)  for a few days. Even if you have had COVID infection, the immunity you get from the vaccine is better than the natural immunity from the disease (which is thought to last around 90 days) so get the shot when you get the chance. Yes, you will still need to wear a mask after vaccination.

*FAQ – Who should NOT get the vaccine?

• Pregnant/breastfeeding women should follow the decision tool above to make a personal decision and speak with their ob/gyn
• Those with severe allergies or adverse reactions to other vaccines without first checking with allergist
• Those undergoing chemo/treatments that severely interfere with the immune system without an approval from oncology
• Those with history of guillian-barre syndrome

*FAQ – Should I get the second vaccine after the first dose caused some side effects?

• Please do consider that the second dose may cause more side effects as it is a booster dose to “remind” your immune system what to do if exposed to the virus.  There is no data to support how much less immunity you have without the second dose, or with a delay of the second dose.  Therefore, we recommend that you judiciously consider this if you choose to stray from the recommended schedule.  If you experienced a severe reaction to the vaccine, you may be referred to an allergist for guidance and you should not receive the second shot.  This article highlights the latest recommendation.  If you would like to discuss this with your primary care provider, please call the office for an appointment. 

*We encourage you to stay in the loop with our practice updates by signing up on our webpage with your email (see bottom of home page). Once signed up, you will receive in your email anything new about this topic as well as other important information for your health.

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