Friday, June 25 Update

Hi there, 

Michigan has set a goal of having 70% of residents vaccinated by July 4. As of yesterday, we are currently at 68.3% vaccination coverage for residents who are at least 16 and that’s nearly 703,013 residents who have received at least their first dose. We believe we can meet this 70% goal if people continue to get vaccinated in the next two weeks. 

This is why we are launching an incentive program geared to motivate populations with lower vaccination rates who may still be reluctant to become vaccinated.  Use of incentive programs in public health has helped encourage people to stop smoking or get more physical activity for decades.  Vaccination is the best prevention tool we have to fight COVID-19. We hope this strategy will help meet our goals and, most importantly, stop this pandemic sooner.  For more information about this program, see below. Need a COVID-19 vaccine? Appointments and walk-ins are welcome at our available clinics.

In our weekly COVID-19 update video, I provide more updates about the county’s progress against COVID-19 and this exciting new program.  Check it out:

Today the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard reports 1,349,363 doses have been given to Oakland County residents.  Visit the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more data related to vaccination.

In good health,

Leigh-Anne Stafford Director, Health and Human Services

Oakland County Adds $50 Incentive to Help Reach 70 Percent Vaccine Goal by July 4

Oakland County Health Division is introducing a $50 gift card incentive* to any Oakland County resident receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine from June 24 until July 4. Oakland County is on the cusp of reaching the goal of vaccinating 70 percent of residents 16 and older by July 4. Over 68 percent of Oakland County residents 16 and older have received at least their first dose.

The target age group for this push to reach the 70 percent goal is young adults and teens. Seventy-two percent of Oakland County residents 30 and older have received at least their first dose. Only 54 percent of Oakland County residents ages 16-29 years old have had their first dose.

Oakland County residents can visit any Oakland County Health Division vaccine clinic or any other COVID-19 vaccine provider in Michigan to qualify for the incentive while supplies last. The Health Division is also holding daily vaccine clinics from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at both its North Oakland Health Center in Pontiac and South Oakland Health Center in Southfield. Explore OaklandCountyVaccine.com to locate a Health Division vaccine clinic. Those who do not have access to the Internet may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. for more information.

Oakland County residents who receive their first dose from June 24 to July 4 at a provider other than Oakland County Health Division may claim the incentive by:

• Visiting OaklandCountyVaccine.com to complete a survey. The gift card will be mailed after the Health Division has verified vaccination status.
• Individuals who do not have access to the Internet, may call the Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 to claim their gift card.

Use the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine finder to locate a convenient provider.

Michigan’s Get Vaccinated and Win! site also shares information from local and state organizations and businesses offering giveaways during COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

*Legal notice for gift card incentive: This incentive will be offered until July 4, 2021, or until all gift cards have been distributed, whichever comes first. Persons under 18 are eligible to receive a vaccine and a gift card with the consent of their parent or legal guardian. This is not a lottery, and the COVID-19 vaccine is provided free of charge. No person will be asked to pay any money in exchange for the COVID-19 vaccine or the $50 gift card. There is no element of chance involved in this incentive.

Vaccination may help slow spread of COVID-19 variants like Delta

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) marked the Delta variant as a “variant of concern” for being significantly more transmissible and causing more severe disease.

Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Current data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States offer protection against most variants currently spreading. However, some variants might cause illness in some people even after they are fully vaccinated.  CDC continues to monitor how vaccines are working in real-world conditions.

A new study released by Public Health England in June 2021 shows that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalization from the Delta variant. 

• the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective against hospitalization after two doses
• the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalization after two doses

Additional studies are underway for other vaccines. Vaccination can also ensure that viruses not mutate as efficiently and may reduce the chances of new variants emerging.

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 (unless otherwise indicated):

• Monday-Friday- 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
  • Oakland County North Oakland Health Center (Pontiac)
  • Oakland County South Oakland Health Center (Southfield)
• Friday, June 25
  • South Lyon Fire Station, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Emagine Novi, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   
  • Emagine Rochester Hills, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   
  • Emagine Royal Oak, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   

• Saturday, June 26
  • All Saints Episcopal Church (Pontiac), 8-10 a.m.
  • Emagine Novi, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   
  • Emagine Rochester Hills, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   
  • Emagine Royal Oak, 2:00-4:00 p.m.   

• Monday, June 28
  • Grosvenor North Apartments “The Groves” (Pontiac), 2-4 p.m.
    • 18+ Johnson & Johnson site

• Tuesday June 29
  • Carnival Market (Pontiac), 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 

• Wednesday, June 30
  • Carnival Market (Pontiac), 11:00 a.m.-2:00 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. to 6 p.m. COVID-19 vaccinations provided at no cost.

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