Weekly Ottawa County Vaccine Update - February 5, 2021

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 02/05/2021 04:13 PM EST

February 5, 2021

This week's video update on Facebook and YouTube.
Includes a brief vaccine update and an interview with special guests from the food safety team who shared how their program adapted to the pandemic and how they've worked with food establishments. The interview starts here.

Be sure to join us every Wednesday at noon for the latest Ottawa County vaccine and response updates. The live broadcast and previous videos can be found at Facebook.com/miOttawaHealth and YouTube.com/miOttawa.

Next week's broadcast includes a vaccine update and an interview with health department staff members from Community Health Services. They will share how COVID-19 impacted their work and how their roles shifted to help meet the community's needs.

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Ottawa County

The above data show the number of vaccines distributed to Ottawa County health care systems and the health department (27,600 total vaccines). Of those 27,600 doses, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) has received 12,150 doses and has administered 11,098 through February 5, 2021.

More Vaccine Data from MDHHS here.

Francisca shares her experience and why she got vaccinated

Click the image to watch. Turn up your volume.

Moderna doses that had temperature excursion
during shipment deemed viable by CDC and Moderna

The vaccine distributor, McKesson, in consultation with Moderna, the vaccine’s manufacturer, has completed the investigation of the Moderna doses received by 21 Michigan health departments, including Ottawa County, that had what is referred to as a ‘temperature excursion”. They have declared the vaccines to be safe and effective.

Although the shipments’ temperature monitors registered an alert for a temperature that was colder than the expected range during shipping, Moderna agreed the vaccines in these shipments was viable upon arrival at the health departments and remains viable if it has been properly stored by the health department. The Ottawa County Department of Public Health immediately placed its shipment of 1,600 Moderna doses into temperature-controlled and monitored vaccine storage, and has been authorized to use the vaccine. READ MORE

Updated FAQs

What is the longest amount of time I can wait for my second shot?

The second dose should be given as close to the recommended timeframe as possible, but if that is not possible, then the second dose of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines may be scheduled up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. However, there is no clear data on the effectiveness if it is delayed beyond this timeframe. Additionally, you should not receive the second dose earlier than recommended (21 days for Pfizer and 28 days for Moderna).

More information about the vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech I Moderna

How will the health department or another vaccine clinic know which manufacturer type of second dose vaccine I need?

The health department and other vaccinators provide each vaccinated person a CDC COVID-19 vaccination card that lists the date, manufacturer type, vaccine lot and who administered the vaccine. Even if someone misplaces their card or forgets to bring it to their second appointment, the vaccine information is accessible by providers in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Many protocols are put in place to ensure people get the right type of vaccine within the allotted time frame. Additionally, when the health department receives shipments from the state, a certain amount is designated for first dose appointments and another amount for second dose appointments.

Learn More: What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

Printable Handout: English I Spanish

What do we know about the new COVID-19 variants?

Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic. Research is ongoing to learn more about these variants, including genetic analyses of the virus to help scientists understand how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and what happens to people who are infected with it.
- United Kingdom (UK) variant known as B.1.1.7. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. This strain is expected to be the predominant strain in the US by March of this year. Experts in the UK reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. At this time, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are considered effective against this strain. In the US, 611 cases have been reported in 33 states, including 29 cases in Michigan.
- South Africa variant known as B.1.351. This variant is also highly transmissible, similar to the UK strain. It has been shown in one study to possibly reduce the current vaccine effectiveness. However, further studies are being conducted. Additionally, scientists are evaluating current and future data on this strain for any possible vaccine adjustments which might be necessary. In the US, five cases have been reported in two states - South Carolina and Maryland.
- Brazil variant known as P.1. This variant is also highly transmissible. It contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognize by antibodies. In the US, two cases have been reported in Minnesota.

These three variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations and potentially more deaths. The public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, are essential to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health.

Learn More I Number of Variant Cases I Science Briefs

Print & Share Other CDC COVID-19 FAQs

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 the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

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. The department continues to work closely with many community partners, including those who are helping to reach the most vulnerable populations. Together, we work to ensure equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine and to reduce the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on older adults and black and brown communities.

Please check out other 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, please only schedule one appointment at one place. 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 delays people's access to the vaccine. The fewer resources lost through double booking, the faster everyone in the community can have access to the vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccinations in Michigan

Michigan received 1,818,225 doses with 1,127,787 of those administered statewide.

More Vaccine Data from MDHHS here.

MDHHS Resources

Vaccine Information I Strategy I Distribution Guidance I MI Vaccine Locations

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Click to enlarge the MDHHS vaccine distribution timeline.

COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States

Click to view more data.

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

Hear the food safety team share their experiences throughout the pandemic response:

What is the importance of the food safety division and the role of a food safety inspector?
Are inspections happening more or less frequently than before the pandemic?
How has the food team had to adapt throughout the pandemic?
Have roles changed, if so, how?
What are the new MDHHS epidemic orders that started Monday, and how are they the same or different than previous ones?
How have you handled establishments who’ve violated the executive and epidemic orders?
Could you each share one of your biggest challenges, best accomplishments and/or lessons learned?