Hi there,
It feels like summer just began, but for so many of us we are already focused on back to school. If you haven’t gotten your child vaccinated yet, now is the time. If your child is a college student, encourage them to get vaccinated before they head to campus. Check the college your child will attend for their vaccine requirements.
It can take 3-6 weeks to become fully vaccinated depending on the vaccine manufacturer received. To demonstrate a timeline-if your child gets their first Pfizer shot tomorrow, July 17, they won’t be considered fully vaccinated until August 21.
I hope you will consider vaccinating your children and yourself. Safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall 2021 is a top priority here in Oakland County. Check out our available vaccination locations or visit the State of Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine finder to locate other convenient providers.
This week’s COVID-19 update video, features a local high school teacher talking about why she chose vaccination:
 We are currently at 69.6% vaccination coverage for residents 16 years and older who have received at least their first dose. We have a little further to go to meet our 70% goal. We are still offering a $50 gift card for ANY Oakland County resident getting their first dose until Oakland County reaches 70% vaccination rate or all gift cards have been distributed, whichever comes first.
Today the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard reports 1,385,153 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
CDC guidance encourages vaccination for safe return to in-person school
On July 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for K-12 schools, highlighting the importance of getting as many eligible children vaccinated as possible to return classrooms to normal. Guidance also details a list of best practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
High vaccination rates in a school or district’s population (students, teachers, staff, and overall community) can help schools resume full in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.
People who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are at low risk of symptomatic or severe infection. A growing body of evidence suggests that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are less likely to have an asymptomatic infection or transmit COVID-19 to others than people who are not fully vaccinated. In most settings, people who are fully vaccinated can safely resume activities they did before the pandemic.
People 12 years and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Many schools serve children under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination currently. Therefore, CDC’s guidance recommends implementing multiple prevention strategies together – masking, social distancing and hand-washing - to protect people who are not fully vaccinated, including students, teachers, staff, and other members of their households.
Fact check--Are COVID-19 vaccine boosters needed?
CDC states that the need for and timing of COVID-19 booster doses is not yet 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.
Six ways to help build COVID-19 vaccine confidence
Many people want more information before seeking vaccination. Taking time to listen to their concerns and questions, can help people become confident in their decision to get vaccinated. Here are some ways you can help boost vaccine confidence:
- Encourage leaders in your family, community, or organizations to be vaccine champions.
- Have discussions with your friends and family about vaccination to understand their perspective and encourage their decision to vaccinate.
- Share key messages that promote action through multiple trusted channels.
- Help educate people about COVID-19 vaccines, including how they were developed and their intense safety monitoring, and how you can talk to others about the vaccines.
- Learn more about finding credible vaccine information. When you come across COVID-19 information, cross-check with CDC.gov and learn how to respond to misinformation you encounter.
- Make your decision to get vaccinated visible and celebrate it!
Week at a Glance-Health Division upcoming vaccination sites
The following locations will offer first dose COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals 12 years and older (unless otherwise indicated):
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Monday-Friday- 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- Oakland County North Oakland Health Center (Pontiac)
- Oakland County South Oakland Health Center (Southfield)
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Saturday, July 24
- Orchard Lake Fine Art Show (West Bloomfield), 10 AM-6 PM
- Oakland County Farmer’s Market (Waterford), 9 AM-1 PM
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Sunday, July 25
- Orchard Lake Fine Art Show (West Bloomfield), 10 AM-5 PM
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Wednesday, July 28
- Best Western Premier Hotel/Metro Detroit Career Expo (Southfield), 9 AM-3 PM
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Friday, July 30
- New Birth International Church/Church in the Park (Pontiac), 11 AM-4:30 PM
For more details about these locations, walk-in availability, or to make an appointment, click on our Get Vaccinated page. You can also call 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more assistance. COVID-19 vaccinations provided at no cost.
OaklandCountyVaccine.com is the best place to receive the latest information.
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