Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do we define vaccination coverage of the updated, 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccination coverage of the updated, 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine is defined as receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine since September 12, 2023. Additional doses of the updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine were recommended for children younger than 5 years old, and adults 65 years and older. Learn more about CDC's guidance for staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations by clicking here.

How has the reporting of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Baltimore City changed?

The dashboard now reports vaccination coverage of the updated, 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine among Baltimore City residents. Notably, the reported vaccination coverage encompasses Baltimore City residents of all ages, whereas previous coverage estimates focused on Baltimore City residents aged 12 years and above. Additionally, coverage is calculated with data from Maryland Department of Health (MDH) ImmuNet. Previously, vaccination coverage estimates were obtained from the CDC, which are no longer available.

Why does Baltimore City’s Dashboard no longer show the CDC COVID Community Level, and why has it been replaced by the CDC Combined RESP-NET Level?

As of May 11, 2023, the CDC is no longer reporting COVID Community Levels. Maryland’s combined RESP-NET Level can be used to guide community and personal decisions regarding risk and prevention behaviors. More information can be found on https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/Pages/resp-virus-metric.aspx.

Why are there odd spikes in the case and death graphs and negative numbers? Do those represent real trends in cases and deaths?

The negative numbers across various dates and spikes (for example on 2/20/2022 for cases and 5/27/2021 for deaths) are due to corrections in data by the Maryland Department of Health. They do not represent real trends in cases and deaths. They represent corrections to the data by report date.

Why was Baltimore City’s COVID dashboard not updated from December 4, 2021, to March 23, 2022?

Due to a cybersecurity incident involving the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) in December 2021, there was a pause in BCHD receiving COVID case, death, testing, and vaccination data from MDH. COVID hospitalization data were not affected and continued to be updated Monday-Friday. For additional details, please visit https://coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/how-maryland-department-health-potential-system-breach-affects-our-covid-reporting.

Why was Baltimore City’s COVID dashboard updated on March 24, 2022?

On March 24, 2022, BCHD switched to “open data” made publicly available by MDH and CDC at that time. This allowed BCHD to update Baltimore City’s COVID dashboard for new cases, deaths, positivity, test volume, and vaccination even though MDH had not restarted data streams affected by the cybersecurity incident in December 2021.

Content last updated: 11/22/2024