January 27, 2021

Ottawa County Vaccine Update

This Week's Vaccine Summary

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) received 975 Pfizer vaccines for first doses and 975 Pfizer vaccines for second doses this week. People aged 75 and older were scheduled this week for one of the limited vaccine appointments available.

A total of 6,683 vaccines have been administered by OCDPH from December 18, 2020 to January 22, 2021. This includes first and second doses to those who qualified.

Starting with next week's vaccine shipment, the OCDPH will be receiving an allocation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) based on population size and the size of populations who have experienced a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Previously, the health department has requested several thousands of vaccines each week and has only received a portion of the request. The OCDPH is still awaiting more information as to how much vaccine the state will allocate to Ottawa County next week.

More Vaccine Data from MDHHS here.

Today's Video Update

Did you miss the live broadcast today or don't have social media accounts?

No problem! Watch the full public recording here. No account needed. 

Also posted at Facebook I  YouTube  I  Twitter

*You may need to adjust your audio volume for each video clip*

Full Broadcast Recording

Click the image to watch the broadcast.

Broadcast Video Interview

Behind the Scenes of the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
with Jennifer Sorek, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator here.

Click the image to watch the interview.

Broadcast Video Interview

Discussing the COVID-19 Vaccine
with Toni Bulthuis, Immunization Supervisor here.

Click the image to watch the interview.

Natividad comparte su experiencia y por qué se vacunó

Click the image to hear Natividad share her experience (Espanol).

Marjorie shares her experience and why she got vaccinated

Click the image to hear Marjorie share her experience.

More videos to come from people sharing their vaccination clinic experience and why they decided to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited. If you are now eligible for vaccination, it does not mean vaccination is immediately available to you. The 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 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. 

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 need an appointment, please check out some partner organizations at www.VaccinateWestMi.com/register or call the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136.

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.

West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at the DeVos Place

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.

LEARN MORE

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