May 9, 2021 I Ottawa County COVID-19 Update
The Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) sent this weekly update to those who signed up for vaccine notifications or COVID-19 updates. You may also sign up to receive information about other news topics from Ottawa County Parks, Sheriff’s Office and more. See the end of this email to make any changes to your subscription preferences.
 Watch the latest COVID-19 video update on YouTube and Facebook - includes an interview with Emily Staley from Lakeshore Advantage and Jennifer Sorek from the health department who share vaccine information for employers.
Click to watch the briefing.
Wednesdays at noon we will provide the latest Ottawa County COVID-19 updates on YouTube.com/miOttawa and Facebook.com/miOttawaHealth. This Wednesday includes an interview with County Administrator Al Vanderberg, Health Officer Lisa Stefanovsky and Deputy Health Officer Marcia Mansaray to talk more about COVID-19 vaccination efforts and response. Get a Reminder
West Michigan Vaccine Clinic Event Calendar
The www.vaccinatewestmi.com site now features a vaccine clinic events calendar detailing all upcoming vaccine clinics in West Michigan. People can now filter vaccine clinics by location, date and county. To view the calendar, click here.
Pfizer and BioNTech Submit Application for U.S. FDA Full Approval of its COVID-19 Vaccine
Additionally, an application to expand the current Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to include individuals 12 to 15 years of age. The companies intend to submit a supplemental Biologics License Application to support licensure of the vaccine in this age group once the required data six months after the second vaccine dose are available. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet on Wednesday to discuss the applications. READ MORE
Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19.
- Once you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing more.
- COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to help build protection.
- COVID-19 vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
- None of the COVID-19 vaccines can make you sick with COVID-19.
LEARN MORE
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. You should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Experts are still learning more about how long vaccines protect against COVID-19 in real-world conditions. CDC will keep the public informed as new evidence becomes available. MORE FAQS
#YourTurn
Did you get vaccinated or will you? Share your story and tell us why.
Philomena V. Mantella
President of Grand Valley State University
“I’ve already received both doses of the vaccine. It’s safe and it will keep our loved ones safe!”
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Hear stories from people in our community who've been vaccinated or plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it's available to them. To be featured in an Ottawa County bulletin, Facebook post or YouTube channel please send your quote, photo and/or video to kwieghmink@miottawa.org.
More COVID-19 Vaccine Information Resources
VaccinateWestMi.com FAQs I Deaf & Hard of Hearing FAQ Videos
CDC COVID-19 FAQs Flyer I CDC FAQ Website
Alternative Languages: Arabic | Spanish | Korean | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Tagalog | Traditional Chinese | Vietnamese
COVID-19 Vaccinations in Ottawa County
Click the image to open the MDHHS vaccine dashboard.
Coverage: Nearly 54% of all Ottawa County residents aged 16 years or older have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of May 7, 2021. More vaccine data from MDHHS here.
The Macatawa Area Express (MAX) and Allegan County Transportation are offering free rides for residents to vaccination appointments. To schedule a trip, call MAX at 616-355-1010. LEARN MORE - Kent County Vaccine Transportation Access Information HERE.
Ottawa County COVID-19 Data Hub
School COVID-19 Quarantine Update
The Public Health Departments of Ottawa County, Muskegon County, Ionia County and Kent County jointly announce that, as of May 5, 2021, the Michigan Department of
Health and Human Services (MDDHS) has advised them that enforcement of MDHHS’ school quarantine guidelines must be now by local health department order. The requirements of employees, including school employees, to isolate or quarantine under Public Act 339 of 2020 are not impacted by this change and remain in full effect pursuant to state law. The requirements for the wearing of face masks is embedded in MDHHS epidemic orders and remains an enforceable mandate at the state and
local level.
The Local Health Departments have advised the school districts within their
jurisdictions that in consideration of current epidemiological trends, increasing vaccination coverage rates, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines, the Local Health Departments are not issuing county-wide orders requiring all school districts to comply with the MDHHS’ quarantine guidelines.
Instead, the Local Health Departments will
- maintain their continual assessment of vaccination and new case data;
- consult with hospitals, infectious disease experts and educators; and
- respond as warranted to particular school situations with individually developed guidance and, if necessary, orders.
This is consistent with their long-standing standard enforcement approach to communicable diseases and also will be applicable to COVID-19. The Local Health Departments continue to recommend that the local school districts use the MDHHS’
quarantine guidelines as best practices for the protection of area children, teachers and staff and the prevention of outbreaks in the school setting.
Quarantine Order in Educational Settings
The OCDPH Health Officer issued the following public health ORDER regarding quarantine for close contacts in educational settings who have been exposed to a COVID-19 case. This ORDER follows the May 7, 2021 joint media release (noted above: English / Spanish) from the health departments of Ottawa, Kent, Muskegon and Ionia counties and is effective immediately. It remains in effect until further order of the Ottawa County Health Officer. READ MORE
Need Testing? No-Cost Community Sites. Rapid antigen testing for anyone with or without symptoms (parental consent required for minors). Samples are taken by nasal swab. Results within 15-30 min. No appointment needed • No doctor’s order needed • No insurance needed • No Fee • Please bring a form of ID • No pets allowed • Wear a face covering. Find locations, dates and times at www.miOttawa.org/covid19
 Coverage: 51.5% of all Michigan residents aged 16 years or older have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of May 7, 2021. More Vaccine Data from MDHHS here.
 Step specifics are detailed in the Michigan Vacc to Normal Press Release.
Click to enlarge.
MDHHS Resources
Vaccine Information I MI Vaccine Locations I FAQs
COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States
Click for more data.
Click to watch the latest White House COVID-19 Response briefings. Scroll to the bottom of the playlist.
 A Real-World Look at COVID-19 Vaccines Versus New Variants
Clinical trials have shown the COVID-19 vaccines now being administered around the country are highly effective in protecting fully vaccinated individuals from the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. But will they continue to offer sufficient protection as the frequency of more transmissible and, in some cases, deadly emerging variants rise?
More study and time is needed to fully answer this question. But new data from Israel offers an early look at how the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is holding up in the real world against coronavirus “variants of concern,” including the B.1.1.7 “U.K. variant” and the B.1.351 “South African variant.” And, while there is some evidence of breakthrough infections, the findings overall are encouraging.
READ MORE I MORE NIH RESEARCH
Click to read the report.
Click to read the report.
Click to read the report.
Click to learn more from the CDC's COVID-19 Webinars and Partner Calls Videos
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