COVID Services

(updated Sept 22, 2021)

**********************************************************

MASKING POLICY

We continue to enforce face mask use while in our office setting.  The CDC has 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 season is around the corner.  BWPC will be providing regular dose flu shot and high dose (age >65) flu shots this year.  We will very soon announce SELF-SCHEDULE flu clinics at both locations which was well received last year.   Until this is updated, please DO NOT WALK IN for flu shots.  

COVID VACCINES AVAILABLE

If you are interested in the COVID vaccines and are 18 years or older… 

BWPC carries Moderna vaccines and can administer vaccines at both offices in Eldersburg and Owings Mills by appointment only.

Please call 410-552-5050 Ext 120 to be scheduled.

-You will be prompted to leave a message with your name, date of birth, and best contact number

-Please call this number if you have specific vaccination questions and to request a time to receive the vaccine. 

-Scheduling will vary weekly, based on supplies/demand.

Please note:  you MUST be a current patient of BWPC (seen in the last 3 years).  Also, at this moment we do not have possession of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for ages 12 thru 17 (see below).

***********************************************************

COVID BOOSTER FAQs

FAQ – Should I get a COVID booster?  

Please speak with your provider at your next appointment or schedule a televisit to ask about your particular situation.  We can only give you some generalized guidance based on current information that is constantly being updated.  The COVID Services Page on our website is another way to get the most updated details about vaccines and recommendations.  BW Primary Care currently only carries the Moderna mRNA vaccine for our current/active patients. To be scheduled, please call our office and leave a message on extension x120.   

There are a few scenarios in which COVID vaccine boosters are being considered. 

People with moderately or severely compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose of mRNA COVID vaccine (at least 28 days after the second dose).  This is currently an official CDC recommendation. This includes people who have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

People who originally received the J&J/Janssen one-dose vaccine have questions about efficacy that is up to 85% preventive but slightly less than the mRNA vaccines of up to 95% efficacy, with also some concern about delta variant protection.  There is not yet a CDC recommendation for a booster to the J&J/Jansson vaccine but this is currently being studied.  Under certain risk profiles it may be reasonable to get the mRNA vaccine as long as one is aware that vaccine safety in this scenario has not been well established.   

People who are 8 months from their initial vaccine completion are being considered for a booster/third dose.  This is not yet an official CDC recommendation but is being anticipated due to waning antibodies.  Stay tuned for official recommendations.    

__________________________________________________________________________________

FAQ  – What are the risks of vaccinating individuals with an additional dose? 

There is limited information about the risks of receiving an additional dose of vaccine, and the safety, efficacy, and benefit of additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people continues to be evaluated. So far, reactions reported after the third mRNA dose were similar to that of the two-dose series: fatigue and pain at injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most symptoms were mild to moderate.

However, as with the two-dose series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

___________________________________________________________________________________

FAQ – Can we check antibodies to COVID to determine immunity?  

The short answer is NO.  We do not have a clear understanding of what quantitative level of antibody is protective enough. Also, different tests yield different results.  Antibody testing is not recommended to determine if you are immune to COVID following a vaccination. The testing also does not indicate whether you can infect other people with SARS-CoV-2. 

***********************************************************

TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS

*BWPC office welcomes in-person medical appointments as long as screening questions have been answered appropriately.  Telehealth will be offered to those considered higher risk or with active symptoms.  We are currently seeing a large majority of our patients in person. 

***********************************************************

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 under age 12 – until more studies are done
• Those with history of guillian-barre syndrome

*FAQ – Should I get the second vaccine even though some are saying the first shot may be enough?

• At this time we do not believe that the one shot will be enough immunity to forego the second shot.  In addition, incomplete immunity may contribute to additional viral mutations.  Therefore, it is still advised to proceed with the complete FDA approved dosing regimen.  

*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.

**********************************************************

COVID TESTING INFO

Traveling Soon? This article is a good summary on the testing required before travel and how to look for a place to do it.  https://thepointsguy.com/guide/where-to-get-covid-test-travel/  Unfortunately BWPC’s PCR testing is not guaranteed within 2-3 days, though we try our best.  Also we only test 2 days per week currently which further makes the timing tricky.  Some of the urgent care places listed below or travel clinics may be able to assist.  Please check with your airline/hotel about requirements as well.

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.

*We have confirmed that the positive COVID tests are being analyzed for the DELTA variant and reported to the CDC. This is not a detail that will be reported back to the patient but purely for tracking purposes.*

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

 

****************

If you are scheduled for a COVID nasal swab at our office (only after being scheduled for an appointment and ordered by a provider), please review this protocol for the time of your sample collection.  IMPORTANT – DO NOT walk into the office on your test day.  Please review this document before your arrival via car: Eldersburg Covid Testing Instructions.   You will be called with your results 2-4 days from the testing date.

****************

Questions about Antibody Testing in general?  Learn more here (this has not changed as of Nov 2020): Covid19 Testing – What We Know and Don’t Know   Please note that lab orders for antibody testing should be requested by your provider to best discuss context and interpretation.  We do NOT recommend rapid finger tests that some urgent care facilities offer.