Patient Portal
Patient Portal
      Patient Portal

      COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER

      • Home
      • COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER

      COVID-19 Resource Center

      Updated Mar 13, 2024

      We are changing our mask policy. Effective immediately, masks are required for those with fever, new respiratory symptoms, or possible infectious illness. Otherwise, masks are optional. We encourage those who would like to wear a mask to continue wearing one.  Clinical staff will mask if a patient is masked.

      Our primary goal at Bethesda Medical Associates is to do our best to keep you safe and healthy, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic.

      We remain available both during and after office hours, as always, with some important changes detailed in the Office Safety section below. We are prepared to also serve as a source for the most up-to-date information regarding Covid-19 as we all navigate this challenging time together.

      Please continue scrolling to read more information, or click a link below to jump to your topic of interest:

      Vaccine Resources

      MARYLAND

      VIRGINIA

      WASHINGTON D.C.

      • • https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc
      • • D.C. Dept. of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (855)363-0333

      ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

      COVID-19 Testing

      Testing Information from the CDC

      Reliability of Testing

      Testing Sites:

      Private Pay Testing Sites (that our patients have reported having quick turnaround times):

      COVID-19 Safety Precautions at BMA

      1. Quarantine Update

        The CDC has updated guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation for those with COVID-19
        infection. The CDC recommends that those who test positive for the coronavirus use clinical
        symptoms to determine when to end isolation. People who are fever free for at least 24 hours
        without fever-reducing medications and are experiencing mild and improving symptoms do not
        have to quarantine at home.Under the new approach, people would no longer need to stay home if they have been fever-free
        for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen and
        their symptoms are mild and improving. This decision is based upon the change in landscape of
        the COVID-19 epidemic, acknowledging that most people have developed a higher level of
        immunity because of vaccination and/or prior infection. Nevertheless, the new isolation
        recommendations do not apply to health-care settings such as doctors’ offices that see more
        vulnerable populations.

        Your BMA providers recommend wearing a mask in public and trying to physically distance if
        you are testing positive for COVID-19 and are within the 10-day infection period. We also
        recommend staying away from immunocompromised and chronically ill individuals as well as
        the elderly while sick with COVID-19.

      2. BMA Masking Mandate

        BMA has relaxed our recent mask mandate. Masking is now optional for patients and staff at
        BMA. If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, please test yourself for COVID. BMA
        requests that you do not come into the office if you have tested positive for COVID in the
        immediate five days period and that you wear a mask in the office if it is between day 6-10 after
        infection. If you test negative and are planning on coming into the office. we kindly request
        wearing mask if you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms.

      3. New COVID immunization recommendations

        As of February 28, the CDC recommends that those age 65 and older receive an additional dose
        of the updated Covid vaccine, released last fall, and which many of you have had.   The
        vaccination should be administered at least four months after your previous dose and at least
        three months after a Covid infection. As of Wednesday March 13, BMA will have additional
        Moderna vaccine stocked in the office. Please call the office to schedule a booster.

      COVID-19 Informational Resources

      We are keeping abreast of the latest information regarding the current pandemic, and encourage you to access the links below for up-to-date information from public health experts, our partners at MDVIP, and other resources. We continue to monitor the same resources on a routine basis, and will update our information as it changes.

      Resources

      Travel
      At this time the CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to all global destinations.
      Regarding travel within the United States

      Quarantine Instructions

      Domestic Abuse
      Montgomery County Family Justice Center

      COVID-19 Boosters

      VACCINE BOOSTER UPDATE - September 19, 2022

      Bivalent COVID19 Booster

      The Food and Drug Administration authorized a new booster last week and shots are now available at larger pharmacies.  The new booster shot differs from the initial vaccination series and its boosters, being a “bivalent vaccine,” meaning that it targets two versions of the coronavirus: the original strain as well as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, BA.5 now accounting for about 90% of the infections in the US. The earlier vaccine and booster shots targeted only the original strain.  It is anticipated that the newer version will provide better protection against future variants.

      A directory is available at https://www.vaccines.gov/ and lists where patients can find available boosters.

      The F.D.A. authorized the Pfizer booster for anyone 12 or older who received an initial vaccination or booster shot at least two months ago. Moderna is authorized for adults over the age of 18, also two months after previous immunization or booster.  For patients, there is no practical difference between the Moderna or Pfizer shots.  They are equally effective.  Also, it is fine to “mix and match” with previous Moderna and Pfizer shots, and vice versa.

      According to CDC guidance, people who recently contracted active COVID19 infection can wait three months to get their booster. Potentially, waiting can result in a stronger immune response after the infection.

      Booster shots are safe for pregnant women.

      Currently, our office has not been provided with the bivalent COVID boosters.  We are recommending that our patients get the new boosters where they are presently available, at local pharmacies or larger health clinics.  Please send us documentation of your booster so that we may record in your chart.  We will let our patients know when we receive the new booster.

      More information about the vaccines may be found at:

      https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html?s_cid=11759:cdc%20vaccine%20guidelines:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22

      -------------------------

      The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have announced that individuals aged 50 and up are eligible for a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after their last dose. The second booster is meant to bolster waning immunity against severe disease in case there is another COVID surge in the coming months. The Food and Drug Administration also authorized a second booster for people 12 and older with certain immune deficiencies.

      We are recommending that everyone who is eligible for a booster under this new guidance receive one.

      Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines: A second booster dose of both COVID-19 vaccines may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

      • Pfizer Vaccine: A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with moderate or severe immunosuppression at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.
      • Moderna Vaccine: A second booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may be administered to individuals 18 years of age and older with moderate or severe immunosuppression at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

      Johnson & Johnson Vaccine:

      In addition, based on newly published data, adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months ago may now receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna)

      COVID Booster Clinics at BMA:

      BMA currently has Moderna vaccine in stock and will be offering dedicated COVID booster clinics on Tuesday and Fridays from 3:30-4:30.   Please call and schedule an appointment if you meet the criteria for a booster.  Additionally, our office continues to maintain a steady supply of Moderna shots, and we are pleased to provide boosters at the time of any scheduled office visit or laboratory appointment.  As in the past, we will be monitoring patients in the waiting room for 15 minutes following the injection.

      COVID-19 Updates

      View All

      © - Bethesda Medical Associates. All Rights Reserved.

        Closed

        Due to construction odors, Bethesda Medical Associate elected to close our office. Our phones will still be monitored by our technicians. However, our office will be closed for all appointments, classes, and other business. We expect to be able to reopen Thursday, February 1, 2024 at our normal time of 8:00 am. We do apologize for any inconvenience.