What to know about getting vaccinated for COVID-19 in Michigan
Doses of COVID-19 vaccines are trickling into Michigan’s hospitals, health departments and long-term care facilities as the more than 2.5 million people who are currently eligible to be vaccinated struggle to learn when and where they can be vaccinated.
At the current rate, it could take months to vaccinate those now eligible, including front-line workers, teachers, first responders and people age 65 or older, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state s chief medical executive, said Wednesday.
Some officials have said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer should not have opened vaccinations up to people ages 65 and older beginning Monday - which lengthened the queue by about 702,000 people - while the state was vaccinating the initial group of 800,000 front-line workers. But Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials say the priority is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.
The Oakland County Health Division on Wednesday launched an online link to help identify people who are eligible and interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We are asking the community to help us plan for administering future doses of vaccine we receive by completing this new form,” County Executive Dave Coulter said in a release.
“This will help us reach residents and workers who are eligible for vaccination when more doses become available. As we receive more vaccine, we will continue to administer them quickly and efficiently until everyone has the opportunity to receive the vaccine.”
The Save Your Spot link can be found at oaklandcountyvaccine.com.
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The Oakland County Health Division is asking residents to remain patient as they wait for doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines because of the overwhelming demand for the COVID-19 vaccine. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI The Oakland County Health Division is asking residents to remain patient as they wait for doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines because of the overwhelming demand for the COVID-19 vaccine and has launched a website tool to help people save their spot in line for the vaccine.
The health division said it has received 7,800 doses of vaccine, administered about 5,600 vaccines, and has scheduled about 17,000-plus first- and second-dose appointments through the end of February. Minimal vaccine supply limits health officials ability to schedule appointments for the hundreds of thousands of eligible people in Oakland County who are still waiting to be vaccinated, the department said.
From Michigan s biggest cities to its far rural areas, the state s most vulnerable populations in nursing homes and long-term care facilities are finally starting to get COVID-19 vaccines with officials hoping to see declines in the number of cases and deaths soon after both doses of the vaccines are administered to residents and staff.
For many, that day can t come fast enough.
It brings the hope of hugging a parent, spouse, daughter, son or grandchild. It brings the anticipation of simply touching and holding a friend s hand.
More than 29,000 coronavirus cases have been reported among nursing home residents and staff, with 3,683 residents (more than 28% of the state s 12,918 deaths) and 34 staff dying so far in the pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Oakland County off to a good start dailytribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailytribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.