Website Updates
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We have recently updated our COVID-19 website www.miottawa.org/COVID19 to make it more accessible and easier to navigate. All of the important and up-to-date resources and guidance you've come to expect are still there, just in a new format! |
Booster Doses Available for Moderna and J&J Recipients
 Booster shots of all three FDA-approved vaccines are now available for eligible groups. Based on CDC recommendations, the different types of vaccines can be mixed safely, and individuals can choose which vaccine they would like to receive for their booster shot, OCDPH recommends consulting your physician to determine which vaccine is right for you.
For individuals who received the 2-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, eligible groups can receive a booster shot 6 months or more after their initial series. Johnson & Johnson (one-dose) recipients can receive their booster shot 2 months or more after their initial series. Visit https://bit.ly/3vCgBhC or talk to your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for a booster shot. Booster shots are offered at local pharmacies and clinics, including OCDPH's Monday vaccination clinic. Visit https://vaccinatewestmi.com/clinics/ to find a vaccine clinic near you.
MI COVID Response Data and Modeling Update
Data from Michigan's COVID Response and Modeling Update from October 19, 2021 highlights:
- Each day more than 450 children under age 12 become infected with COVID-19, 25 more children per day than the week of October 10.
- Pediatric case rates are increased to 325.7 cases/million
- There were 408 outbreaks and clusters in K-12 schools
- Other states experienced a sharp increase in pediatric hospital admissions during the recent surge
- Districts without mask requirements are experiencing higher case rates
- Pediatric hospital census is averaging approximately 26 per day (for confirmed cases only)
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When will the vaccine be available for 5-11 year olds?
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We are expecting the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11 to come soon. The authorization is expected to arrive early to mid-November. OCDPH is encouraging parent who have questions or concerns to speak with their healthcare provider. |
Vaccine clinics can be found on www.VaccinateWestMI.com/clinics. More information will be available soon.
* Note: the vaccines cannot prevent 100% of infections but they are safe and effective and provide protection against the most severe effects of the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as its variants. The benefits of the vaccines have been shown to outweigh the risks.
Children's Hospitals Issue Plea to Reduce Respiratory Illnesses
Pediatric physician leaders who treat children and adolescents in hospitals and clinics are asking everyone in Michigan to do their part to reduce the incidence of COVID-19 and respiratory illness in schools and communities.
The number of children in Michigan infected and sick with COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses in Michigan is increasing. Clinics, emergency departments and hospitals are reaching capacity. Every day, 300 children under 10 years of age are infected with COVID-19 in Michigan. The number of children needing care is surpassing our state's staffing and resource capacity and straining our healthcare workforce at unprecedented levels.
*Read more to learn what you can do to help protect our children and the community.
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COVID-19 Deaths
 In Michigan, between September 13, 2021 - October 12, 2021, 92 fully vaccinated individuals died from COVID-19 infection. 368 not fully vaccinated individuals died from COVID 19 infection. LEARN MORE
COVID-19 Hospitalizations
 In Michigan, between September 13, 2021 - October 12, 2021, 199 fully vaccinated individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. 1130 not fully vaccinated individuals were hospitalized with COVID 19 infection. LEARN MORE
University of Michigan School of Public Health Thanks Public Health Professionals
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Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) thanks the University of Michigan School of Public Health for sharing a kind message, showing their support and gratitude for all public health professionals during this pandemic. Watch their video.
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Like the University of Michigan, Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) is thankful for the outstanding public health workforce in the State of Michigan. Let's continue to spread positivity for those who have been working so hard during the pandemic. #BestOfPublicHealth.
Didn't Colin Powell's Vaccine Work?
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Colin Powell, Former United States Secretary of State, passed away on October 18, 2021 after getting infected with COVID-19. Colin Powell was fully vaccinated. So why did he get infected with COVID-19 and die? |
There are possible contributing factors. Powell was 85 years old, in an age group which experiences more severe complications of COVID-19. He had a diagnosis of multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer) which which affected his immune system. Multiple myeloma reduces a patient's capability to generate immunity from vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccines.
Colin Powell died because of a deadly combination of cancer, advanced age, weakened immune system and exposure to a deadly virus.
This is one reason Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) recommends additional prevention strategies along with vaccinations, such as masking, washing hands, socially distancing, etc. to protect the vulnerable population who are more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19 infection despite vaccination.
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Man Formerly Opposed to Vaccine Encourages Vaccination
 One father of 9 in Northern California urges vaccinations after his entire family was struck with COVID-19. A recorded public service announcement is available on YouTube.
*Click the image to watch the video.
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COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines
mRNA vaccines have been around for decades. Scientists have been studying and working with mRNA vaccines before for flu, Zika, rabies, and cytomegalovirus (CMV). As soon as the necessary information about the virus that causes COVID-19 was available, scientists began designing the mRNA instructions to teach cells how to build the unique spike protein to trigger an immune response inside our bodies. LEARN MORE
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Myocarditis & Pericarditis
The CDC and its partners are actively monitoring reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination. Myocarditis and Pericarditis are rare. The known risks of COVID-19 illness and its related, possibly severe complications, such as long-term health problems, hospitalization, and even death, far outweigh the potential risks of having a rare adverse reaction to vaccination, including the risk of myocarditis or pericarditis.
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Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. They have undergone rigorous testing, clinical trials and safety monitoring processes for every age group.
While the development of the COVID-19 vaccine happened swiftly, no scientific or safety evaluations were skipped over. Rigorous clinical trials took place with tens of thousands of participants to ensure safety and efficacy.
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As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed and studied each vaccine's trial results as part of the review process, the vaccines had already been pre-purchased and manufacturing was underway ensuring a swift distribution process in the event that Emergency Use Authorization was granted.
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Ottawa County Data Hub
Ottawa County publishes recent COVID-19 data relating to community transmission, counts, descriptive statistics and test positivity. The data hub is updated every weekday from Monday - Friday by 3:00 pm. View Data Hub
Ottawa County Case Rates
 As of October 29, 122 new cases of COVID-19 were reported each day on average over the last 7 days, similar to the 125 daily reported cases over the previous 7 day period. Despite the signs of plateauing, case counts and incidence rates remain high at this time.
Variants in Ottawa County
Since February 25, 2021, several variants of concern have been reported in Ottawa County. The delta variant now makes up the majority (52%) of all variant cases identified in Ottawa County since February 2021, surpassing the Alpha variant (44%) that characterized the surge in cases last spring. The Epsilon and Gamma variants each make up 2% of the total variant cases reported in Ottawa County (percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding). More recent local data on variants show the delta variant is still the most predominant variant strain in Ottawa County, making up 100% of all variant cases reported since July. Similar data at the state and national levels indicate the delta variant is still the most predominant strain at this time.
Please note that whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the SARS-CoV-2 is not widely available like diagnostic tests, therefore only a subset of specimens from COVID-19 cases are further sequenced for variants. Due to the high prevalence of the delta variant in Michigan, almost every incident infection can now be considered to be a delta variant infection.
In addition to WGS of clinical cases, results from wastewater sampling over the last month consistently detected the Delta variant in wastewater samples collected from several sites in the county. The most frequently detected variant continues to be delta, further confirming the prevalence of the more transmissible and potentially severe variant in Ottawa County.
Anyone who is eligible should get vaccinated. Non-pharmaceutical intervention strategies such as distancing, hand-washing, ventilation, and proper and consistent masking are still effective in preventing disease transmission.
COVID-19 Vaccinations in Ottawa County
 Coverage: 66.1% of all Ottawa County residents aged 12 years or older have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as of October 29, 2021. More vaccine data from MDHHS can be found here.
 Coverage: 63.9% of all Michigan residents aged 12 years or older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of October 29, 2021. More Vaccine Data from MDHHS can be found here.
Progress is based on the CDC data tracker, which includes MI residents vaccinated by providers not currently reporting to the state dashboard below: Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Bureau of Prisons, and most out-of-state providers. Data provided in the Michigan COVID-19 Dashboard slightly undercounts the true number of doses administered to MI residents. LEARN MORE
COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States
Questions & Answers
Am I permanently immune after getting vaccinated? What about breakthrough infections?
While COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective, no vaccine provides 100% immunity. Because this is a new virus, scientists and medical experts continue to monitor how long immunity lasts, whether some groups may need additional doses, and how well the vaccines protect against new variants of the virus.
Data continue to show that COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in protecting fully vaccinated people from catching and spreading the virus, including the delta variant. A small percentage of vaccinated people experience breakthrough cases, but they are much more likely to have milder symptoms compared with unvaccinated people with COVID-19. Unvaccinated people continue to account for the vast majority of severe cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.
The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 is increased for some groups, including older adults, people with underlying medical conditions, immunocompromised people, and pregnant or recently pregnant people. If you have questions about your risk of COVID-19, how to protect yourself from COVID-19, or about the vaccines, speak to your health provider.
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What is the risk of having an adverse reaction to a vaccine?
The threat of COVID-19 is real and urgent, and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself. Side effects to the COVID-19 vaccines are typically mild and subside in one to two days. Typical side effects of vaccination include soreness in the arm, fatigue, headaches, or a slight fever.
The risk of having a serious adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is far lower than the risk of COVID-19. The CDC and FDA are closely monitoring vaccine outcomes to ensure safety.
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Where to Find COVID-19 Vaccines
The OCDPH is listing all of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics on the VaccinateWestMi.com/clinics website. Click on the calendar to find scheduling and walk-in opportunities in Ottawa County and the surrounding area.
- The Pfizer two-dose vaccine is available for individuals aged 12 years or older.
- The Moderna two-dose vaccine is available for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- The Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine is available for individuals aged 18 years or older.
- Date of birth proof is required (driver’s license, state ID or birth certificate). Parental consent is required for minors. Find more details and requirements on each clinic's page.
- Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.
 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.
COVID-19 Testing
 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
MDHHS Resources
Vaccine Information I MI Vaccine Locations I FAQs
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
Click to learn more from the CDC's COVID-19 Webinars and Partner Calls Videos
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.
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