Talbot Health Department Offers Free Flu, COVID-19 and Shingles Shots to Uninsured Adults

EASTON, MARYLAND — Adults in Talbot County who have no health insurance, or whose insurance does not cover recommended vaccines, can get flu, COVID-19 and shingles shots, along with six other vaccines, free at the Talbot County Health Department.

The vaccines come through the Maryland Vaccine Program, which the Maryland Department of Health runs for uninsured and underinsured adults age 19 and older. The county health department defines underinsured as insurance that does not cover recommended vaccines, or that leaves high out-of-pocket costs for them.

The department lists nine vaccines: COVID-19; flu; Tdap, which covers tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis; RSV, for adults 60 and older or at risk; pneumococcal, for adults 50 and older or at risk; HPV; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; and shingles, for adults 50 and older or at risk.

There is no charge for eligible adults. Staff may ask people to confirm their insurance status, but the department says no one will be turned away because they cannot pay.

The state began the program last year and funds it with $2.8 million allocated in partnership with the General Assembly, according to an Aug. 6 state health department release. That release said 10 federally qualified health centers had joined local health departments in giving out the vaccines. The state's program page lists Choptank Community Health Center's Denton Health Center, in Caroline County, among them. Children who are uninsured or underinsured get free vaccines through the separate Vaccines for Children program.

Shots are by appointment only at the health department, 510 Cadmus Lane, Easton. Call 410-819-5673 to schedule, or email talbot.health [at] maryland.gov with questions.