Maryland Vaccine Policy Shift: Maryland’s new 2026-2027 vaccine schedules are now official under the state’s Vax Act, with insurers required to cover routine state-recommended immunizations at no out-of-pocket cost and pharmacists able to give recommended shots to people age 3+ without a prescription—meaning families may see different recommendations depending on where they live. Public Health Preparedness: FEMA will evaluate Maryland’s emergency response readiness during a biennial radiological drill at Calvert Cliffs, with preliminary findings set for a public meeting Sept. 18. Local Health Access & Community Support: Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is holding its annual meeting Sept. 24 and is asking for donations (peanut-free snacks, toiletries, and drinks) to support families in St. Mary’s County schools. Health Care Innovation/Research: BioNTech and OncoC4 reported updated PRESERVE-003 Phase 3 data showing gotistobart nearly doubling median overall survival vs. standard chemotherapy in previously treated squamous NSCLC. Healthcare Workforce & Training: Western Maryland AHEC is running National Recovery Month and Suicide Awareness Month events, including Narcan training during Save A Life Day on Sept. 24. Safety Net / Public Safety Alternatives: Baltimore is considering a new Department of Neighborhood Safety to divert certain 911 calls away from police toward social workers and peer specialists.