99.1 Percent Of Eligible MOCO Residents Have First Vaccine Dose

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The CDC reports that 99.1 percent of people eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Montgomery County have received at least one dose and just under 90 percent of the eligible population — ages 12 and older — are fully vaccinated. The county leads the state of Maryland with its vaccination rate.

"I want to thank the people of Montgomery County for believing the science and doing their part to slow the spread of this vicious virus," said County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. "Our high vaccination rates have been the key to minimizing the number of deaths and hospitalizations in the County during the Delta wave."

Nationwide, 74.6 percent of people eligible for the vaccine have gotten at least one dose, according to the CDC.

Montgomery County leaders have long pushed for residents to get the vaccine, with some jurisdictions requiring its employees to get the shot. All employees for the City of Rockville are required to get vaccinated or apply for a waiver — the same is the case for employees of Montgomery County Public Schools.

Elrich said that Montgomery County's vaccination rate is notable, but it's not the end of the line.

"Despite this good news, we must recognize that our County is not on an island, and we can’t stop doing what we know works," said Elrich in the statement. "The data is clear that our best defense against COVID is people who are vaccinated. So, if you have not been vaccinated, please get your shot. Every person who gets their shot puts us one step closer to winning the fight against COVID."

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