Coronavirus (COVID-19)


COVID-19 Response Team Update: Effective Saturday, December 3 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and due to a decreased demand for COVID-19 activities, Mary’s Center will be making some changes to our COVID Response Program.

Effective 12/3/22 the COVID Response Team will only operate out of the Silver Spring location.

  • Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00am–12:00pm & 1:00-3:00pm

*Participants may continue to visit all 5 clinic sites on a walk-in basis for COVID vaccines.


We are now offering the new Pfizer Bivalent booster shots. Learn more.

Screening Kiosks

Staring Monday, June 13, when you come in for your appointment, you will stop at our new screening kiosks for a quick check on any COVID-19 symptoms or exposures. Staff will still be available to assist and guide you based on your responses.

As a reminder, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 and your visit is unrelated to that illness, please call to reschedule your appointment at 844-796-2797.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone at our clinics safe and healthy.


Free COVID-19 Services 

Vaccines are available for everyone, including babies 6 months and older, and boosters are available for anyone 5+ years old. Second boosters are available for 50+ and certain other populations (more detail below). We are providing the Pfizer vaccine unless otherwise noted.

 

Walk-in Vaccines

We have a limited quantity of vaccines available for walk-ins first come, first served.

Washington, DC

Adams Morgan

Petworth (Georgia Ave)

Fort Totten

Maryland

Adelphi

Silver Spring

Limited walk-ins are available, and you can also make an appointment for the timeslots below by calling 844-796-2797 or clicking here to book online.

COVID-19 Response Team Clinic

Silver Spring:

Vaccine Walk-in Hours

  • Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00am–12:00pm & 1:00-3:00pm (Pfizer vaccine for 6 months–4 years old and ages 5+, Moderna vaccine for ages 18+)

Testing Walk-in Hours:

  • Tuesday–Friday, 9:00am–12:00pm & 1:00-3:00pm

Find additional COVID-19 vaccine and testing events on our event calendar.


 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Adults

Mary’s Center participants over 60 years old have a dedicated phone line to make appointments for COVID-19 vaccines and boosters: 202-851-3593.

This number is a secure voicemail line. Please provide name, date of birth, contact info, and service requested. Calls will be returned within 1 business day. 


 

Booster Shots and Additional Doses

What is the difference between a booster shot and an additional dose?

Over time, immunity from your initial dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine naturally starts to wane. Booster shots are recommended for certain vaccinated people to help you maintain your immunity to protect against getting sick, just like getting tetanus boosters.

For people with compromised immune systems, they may need an additional dose of the vaccine to build up the same level of immunity as people who are not immunocompromised. Those who receive an additional dose (e.g., third dose of Pfizer or Moderna) should also receive a booster when they are eligible.

Does my booster or third dose need to be the same vaccine I had originally?

The FDA has determined that it is safe to receive a booster or additional dose that is a different brand than the initial vaccine. That means you can mix and match, getting whichever vaccine is available for your booster or third dose.

For second booster shots, the CDC recommends getting one of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna). Children and teens ages 5+ are only eligible for the Pfizer booster. Mary’s Center is currently offering Pfizer at all sites unless otherwise noted. See more details above.

Who needs a first booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you originally got the 2-dose Pfizer vaccine and you are 5-11 years old, you can get a booster at least five months after your second shot.

If you originally got the 3 doses of Pfizer vaccine and you are 5-11 years old and immunocompromised, you can get a booster at least three months after your second shot.

If you originally got the 2-dose Pfizer vaccine and you are 16 or older, you can get a booster at least six months after your second shot. If you are 12-15 years old, you can get a booster five months after your second shot.

If you originally got the 2-dose Moderna vaccine and you are 18 or older, you can get a booster at least six months after your second shot.

If you originally got the 1-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and you are 18 or older, you can get a booster at least two months after your shot.

The CDC especially recommends the booster for people over 50 and those living in long-term care settings.

See the information above to make an appointment or walk in to receive your booster.

Who needs a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you are 50 or older and you received your first booster shot at least four months ago, you are eligible for a second booster shot.

If you are 12 or older and immunocompromised, and you received your first booster shot at least four months ago, you are eligible for a second booster shot.

If you originally got both a Johnson & Johnson vaccine and booster, and you are 18 or older, you are eligible for a second booster at least four months after your first booster.

See the information above to make an appointment or walk in to receive your booster.

Who needs a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people who received Pfizer or Moderna for their initial vaccine receive an additional dose (of Moderna or Pfizer only). 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 oral high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

If you fall into one of these categories, see the information above to make an appointment or walk in to receive your third dose. If you’re not sure if you qualify, please ask your oncologist, rheumatologist, or primary care clinician.


 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 6 months to 4 years old

As of June 18, the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved and recommended by the federal government for babies and children as young as six months.

Mary’s Center is currently vaccinating patients coming into the clinic for other visits, and we have limited walk-ins and appointments available at select sites. See the full schedule above.

Learn more about the vaccine from our Director of Pediatric Medicine, Dr. Jessica Schroeder, on our blog here.


 

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children 5-11

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children ages 5-11, and the CDC is now also recommending booster shots for children ages 5-11 at least five months after their second dose, or three months after the second dose for immunocompromised children.

What’s the process to get children vaccinated?

Established Mary’s Center participants ages 5-11 who are already coming into our clinics for other appointments will be offered the vaccine.

We are also offering walk-in vaccines and vaccine appointments for children ages 5-11. See schedules above.

How can parents make an appointment for their children’s vaccine?

Parents can call our 24-hour appointment line at 844-796-2797.

Is there a cost for the vaccine for children?

No, the vaccine is free. If patients have insurance, we ask for their insurance card.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine for children from the CDC here.


 

Pfizer Bivalent Booster Shot for 12+

Mary’s Center is now offering the Pfizer Bivalent booster.

Individual’s 12+ are approved for a single booster at least 2 months after:

  • Completion of primary vaccination.
  • Receipt of the most recent booster dose (1st or 2nd booster)

To learn more about the Bivalent booster, click here.


Learn About the COVID-19 Vaccine:

Find answers to common COVID-19 vaccine questions here.

WATCH: Mary’s Center staff explain why they got vaccinated and how you can trust that the vaccine is safe and effective.

 
 

English:

Spanish:

Amharic:

You can also learn more about our COVID-19 screening process here.


 

COVID-19 Rapid At-Home Tests

At-home COVID-19 tests are now widely available for free pickup at locations across Washington, DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County.

Taking these tests correctly is important for the most accurate results. Watch these videos for instructions on taking the two most commonly distributed at-home tests.

iHealth (orange box):

BinaxNOW (blue box):