Friday, May 28 Update

Hi there,

This weekend starts the summer season.  Thanks to COVID-19 vaccination, Memorial Day 2021 is likely to feel closer to normal.  Case rates, hospitalizations and deaths continue to trend downward, and many people have been vaccinated. 

If you are not vaccinated, there is a risk of infection. Still mask and take other precautions to celebrate.  Below we also provide tips for vaccinated individuals-especially those who may be gathering with others or traveling as we are not fully out of the woods yet.

This week, we invite you to hear from Oakland County residents on why they got the COVID-19 vaccine. One by one we get closer to ending this pandemic!

Still need to get vaccinated? Visit OaklandCountyVaccine.com to make your appointment and explore walk-in opportunities.

Today the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard reports 1,242,524 doses have been given to Oakland County residents. 63.2% of residents 12 years of age or older have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more data related to vaccination.

In good health,

Leigh-Anne Stafford

Director, Health and Human Services

Attending gatherings after vaccination

Attending gatherings to celebrate Memorial Day, graduations, proms, and other end of the school year events increases the risk people getting and spreading COVID-19.

If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities without generally wearing a mask or physically distancing.

However, even if you’ve been fully vaccinated, keep doing the following while attending gatherings to further protect yourself and those around you:

• Follow any mask guidance in place at local facilities, workplaces, and businesses.
• If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and public transportation.
• Watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
• If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19.

COVID-19 booster shots

All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly effective at preventing COVID-19. Researchers are exploring how long immunity from the COVID-19 vaccine may last. Vaccine developers continue to look at ways to boost the effectiveness of vaccination so that it provides the longest immune protection. 

Currently, CDC states that the need for and timing of COVID-19 booster doses has not yet been established. No additional doses are recommended at this time. People are considered fully protected two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Transportation to Vaccine Clinics with SMART

Oakland County and SMART have teamed up to provide easy access to COVID-19 vaccinations for those who need transportation to and from their scheduled vaccine appointment. Any resident who has transportation needs call 1-800-848-5533 to schedule their transportation to and from the clinic when they receive their confirmation email for their scheduled vaccine appointment or before desired to walk in.  Please plan at least three days in advance to schedule transportation. Health Division staff then contacts SMART to arrange transportation directly with the client.

Week at a Glance-Health Division upcoming vaccination sites

The following locations will offer first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments for individuals 12 years and older:

• Wednesday, June 2:
  • West Bloomfield Middle School, 3-7 p.m.
  • River Woods Park (Auburn Hills), 1-4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 3:
  • Brandon Middle School, 3-7 p.m.
  • Harrington Hill Elementary (Pontiac), 4-7 p.m.
• Friday, June 4:
  • Oakland Hope Food Pantry & Thrift Store (Pontiac), 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more details about these locations, walk-in availability, or to make an appointment, click on our Get Vaccinated page. Vaccination appointments can also be booked over the phone by calling 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. COVID-19 vaccinations are provided at no cost.

OaklandCountyVaccine.com is the best place to receive the latest information.