COVID-19 Rates Growing In 48 States: What To Know About Vaccines In MD

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive at Maryland pharmacies, doctors’ offices and clinics later this month, but they won’t be available to everyone under federal rules.

The Food and Drug Administration recently updated 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines to target XFG only, rather than combining protection against multiple versions of the virus. XFG was the dominant coronavirus strain when the formulas were selected in May.

The approval comes as COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 48 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an Aug. 28 update.

In Maryland, the weekly percentage of ED visits diagnosed with COVID-19 is very low. The COVID-19 epidemic trend is growing.

Wastewater surveillance data as of Aug. 28 shows COVID-19 case rates are “very high” and “high” in Texas and Mississippi, respectively. California and Florida are among seven states, largely in the South and West, with “moderate” infections, and most other states reported low activity.

Overall, though, the CDC says COVID-19 rates are “very low.”

In Maryland, the wastewater viral activity level for COVID-19 is also very low, with 10 sites reporting in the last week and the last 30 days.

Back-To-School Impact

A school in Texas said the “rapid spread” of COVID-19 prompted its decision to cancel classes for two days recently, and in Louisiana, the Park Ridge Achievement Academy shut down temporarily for a day “out of an abundance of caution” after students and staff reported infections.

The current trend matches the virus's seasonal pattern, according to Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“We’ve had two waves (every year). One in the middle to late summer, and the other during the winter,” Schaffner told NBC’s “Today” show.

Health experts recommend keeping sick kids home and staying up to date on vaccinations.

Despite the growth in the infection rate, hospital and emergency department visits remain low compared to past years, according to CDC data. Health experts say that’s an indication that community immunity is keeping most infections mild.

Who Gets The Jab

The FDA recommended the shots for everyone 65 and older and for younger people with at least one condition that raises their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Those conditions include asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart or lung disease, and pregnancy.

Eligibility among younger people depends on the vaccine. Moderna’s Spikevax is approved for high-risk patients 6 months and older; the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for those 5 and older; and Moderna’s mNexspike and the Novavax vaccine for those 12 and older.

The FDA’s decision mirrors the annual process used to update flu vaccines. FDA advisers reviewed which variants were spreading, how well last year’s vaccines worked, and laboratory evidence showing how the immune system responded to newer variants. The agency said it will continue watching for changes in the virus and monitoring the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness.

The CDC has not issued vaccination recommendations for the 2026-27 season. Its most recent guidance says people should decide whether to get a COVID-19 shot based on their age, health risks and a consultation with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Who Can Get It In Maryland?

The Maryland Department of Health on Thursday released statewide 2026-2027 vaccine schedules and recommendations for Maryland’s children and adults in advance of the respiratory virus season. The recommendations align with the latest evidence and guidance by leading medical associations.

The Vax Act, signed into law this spring, represents the latest action in the Moore-Miller administration’s ongoing commitment to safeguard vaccine access and prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases. The state health department previously issued standing orders and educational materials in reaction to vaccine policy changes at the federal level. The Vax Act goes further, empowering the Maryland Health Secretary to set official state recommendations for immunizations, screening and preventive services based on science and clinical guidance.

By using its new authority, Maryland now:

• enables healthcare professionals to practice with clarity and alignment with the standards of their field;
• requires insurers to cover all routine state-recommended immunizations with zero out-of-pocket costs; and
• allows pharmacists to administer recommended vaccines to anyone age three and older without a prescription.

“We recognize Marylanders are facing back-to-school germs and the upcoming respiratory virus season, all while navigating shifting vaccine guidance from the federal government,” said Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “Through the Vax Act and our Maryland recommendations, we are reaffirming our commitment to high-quality, accessible care rooted in science and giving families peace of mind that essential vaccinations are safe and will remain affordable and available right in their communities.”

Vaccine guidelines under the Vax Act are anchored to recommendations from leading, independent expert medical organizations—including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

The recommendations include vaccines against COVID-19, flu and RSV, seasonal respiratory viruses that can cause severe disease leading to hospitalization or death. Maryland health officials also continue to stress the importance of other routine immunizations, including the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the hepatitis B vaccine, beginning with the birth dose. The recommendations do not create any new mandates, and requirements for school entry in Maryland remain unchanged.

Maryland maintains high vaccination rates statewide. More than 96% of kindergarten students in Maryland are consistently reported as vaccinated.

Will Insurance Cover It?

Because insurance coverage may depend on federal recommendations, people should check with their insurer before making an appointment.

Medicare Part B covers FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines with no copay when a participating provider administers the shots.

AHIP, an organization that includes most health insurers, said last year that most of its members cover the entire cost of vaccines and that its “evidence-based approach to coverage of immunizations will remain consistent.”

However, coverage for vaccines is typically linked to CDC vaccine advisory committee recommendations, Forbes reported. Because the CDC vaccine advisory committee has not met this year because of legal issues, no federal recommendations have been issued, creating uncertainty about private insurer coverage, Forbes said.

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