The state of Maryland is preparing to test nursing home residents for COVID-19 antibodies in a proactive effort to determine whether or not they should be offered a fourth vaccine dose, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced last week.
“We hope [fourth doses] won’t be necessary, but we will be prepared to take action if it is deemed necessary,” Hogan said Thursday, reported the Capital Gazette.
The state will work with University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University to implement the testing study, and expects results within two weeks, according to a report by WTOP News.
In related news, Michigan has given nursing home operators 30 days to provide on-site booster clinics to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage among residents, the Associated Press has reported. In December, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) announced a goal of getting 95% of eligible nursing home residents boosted by the end of January, according to the news outlet.
