January 22, 2021

Ottawa County Vaccine Update

Limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine

Currently Vaccinating

COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited. If you are now eligible for vaccination, it does not mean vaccination is immediately available to you. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) continues to diligently vaccinate people within Ottawa County through its active COVID-19 vaccination program. The department is following the guidelines for vaccine distribution issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The state is currently in vaccination Phase 1B, which consists of some essential workers and everyone 65 years of age and older.

The OCDPH is focusing efforts, at this time, on vaccinating people aged 65 and older since this population is most affected by COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths according to county data. As vaccine supplies become more available, a top priority will be given to frontline essential workers. Unfortunately, our vaccine distribution is dependent on the supply of vaccines received from the MDHHS, which in turn is dependent on allocations from the CDC. Since OCDPH has no control over these allocations, a specific date for vaccinations of school personnel cannot be determined at this time. However, every effort is being made to secure an adequate vaccine supply so vaccination of all individuals in Phase 1B and beyond can be vaccinated as quickly as possible. We appreciate your partnership and patience.

Vaccination Goal

MDHHS has a goal to have 70% of Michiganders vaccinated by the end of the year. Ottawa County has nearly 300,000 people. Of that, more than 45,000 individuals are over the age of 65--all needing two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The current vaccine supply does not meet this demand. The OCDPH has been receiving 975-1,600 doses of vaccine per week which enables us to only run 2-3 clinics per week with very limited appointments available. At this time where the demand exceeds the supply, the OCDPH is randomly selecting people aged 65 and older to schedule an appointment. The OCDPH is notified on Fridays by the MDHHS on how much vaccine will be received the following Monday or Tuesday, leaving little time to plan and schedule appointments. Once the OCDPH knows how much vaccine will be received, those randomly selected recipients will receive an email and/or text with the unique scheduling link. If someone needs assistance with scheduling, please call 211. 

The OCDPH continues to work on partnerships with other organizations to expand access points for the vaccine. If you are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine and still in need of an appointment, please be sure to check out some partner organizations at www.VaccinateWestMi.com/register.

When you are able to sign up for a vaccination appointment, a dose of the vaccine, a time-slot in the schedule, and the staffing to deliver that vaccine are all saved for you. Making vaccine appointments at multiple sites does direct harm to others by delaying their access to the vaccine. OCDPH asks you consider the health of your community when making a vaccination appointment. The fewer resources lost through double booking, the faster everyone in the community can have access to the vaccine.

This notification was sent to those who subscribed to vaccine notifications. If you already received the COVID-19 vaccine or already scheduled an appointment, please click on UNSUBSCRIBE.

Opening Monday - DeVos Place Mass Vaccination Clinic

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is a collaborative supporting residents throughout West Michigan counties. Vaccines will be offered by appointment only, based on vaccine availability. While this is a large-scale facility, current vaccine supply does not allow for full use of this capacity right now. The clinic will begin with a small number of appointments, consistent with the amount of vaccine currently available. The goal is that as more vaccine becomes available, more people will be scheduled for appointments at this location.

For more information on scheduling, please visit www.wmvaccineclinic.org to register. If community members are unable to use the online tools to complete registration, they can call  833-755-0696. Please keep in mind that call volumes are extremely high and registering online is the fastest, easiest and preferred method.

The size and configuration of DeVos Place is well suited for a large-scale undertaking of this kind. The site was selected because it is on bus routes, accessible by multiple interstate highways, has adequate parking and is centrally located. At this time, individuals designated by state and federal criteria are being vaccinated, including those 65+ and certain essential workers such as teachers and childcare workers. Appointments are also continuing for Phase 1A individuals including health care workers, doctors, dentists and their staff.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Click to enlarge the MDHHS vaccine distribution timeline.

MDHHS Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Information I Distribution Guidance I MI Vaccine Locations

COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help stop the pandemic

• Wearing masks and physical distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
  
  
• The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.
  
  
• Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. As experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce spread of the disease in communities, CDC will continue to update the recommendations to protect communities using the latest science.

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