Making an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine is patient and in many cases technically proficient.
Demand is still rising supply, although President Biden has promised that by the end of May there will be enough vaccine for all American adults.
But even for the impatient and those without internet, there are solutions.
To date, 25% of Michigan adults 16 years and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 14% have been fully immunized.
Here are some tips to make an appointment.
Make sure you are eligible.
Those currently eligible for vaccination include those aged 65 and over, those between 50 and 64 with a disability or medical condition that makes them vulnerable to COVID complications, and caregivers of any age for children with special needs. (Click here for a list of suitable medical conditions.)
Eligible list also includes essential workers working as health care workers, long-term care workers, first responders, correctional workers, child care and school staff, staff in community care facilities, mortuary workers, food processing workers and agricultural environment.
From March 22, the fitness will expand to anyone 50 and older, regardless of health status, and those between 16 and 49 years old.
All Michigan residents will be eligible for a vaccine from April 5th.
Register at multiple locations.
Most vaccines are administered by hospitals, local health departments, pharmacies and federally qualified health centers. Doctors’ offices usually do not offer the vaccine.
Sign up for the waiting lists available in your area, and acknowledge that not all providers have waiting lists. However, do NOT schedule multiple appointments. Once you have an appointment, you must show up or cancel; do not be a no-show.
Here’s a link to a federal center disease website that shows which pharmacies in your area offer the vaccine.
For those who do not want to go online or can not make an appointment
The key here is to register at places with waiting lists. Consult your local hospitals and your health department. Meijer also uses a waiting list system.
The advantage of waiting lists is that they contact you when appointments are available. The downside is that it takes longer to make an appointment.
How to register at a pharmacy.
At this stage, retail pharmacies are the largest supplier of vaccines to those starting the process. However, many places only schedule appointments a week or two in advance due to uncertainty about how many doses are available during a week.
The main retailers supplying vaccines:
- Meijer is compiling waiting lists and sending you an invitation to plan a vaccination clinic. Here is the link to the website to register. One downside: you can only register for one waiting list at one store.
- Rite-Aid do not do waiting lists, but the advantage is that you can be available in several places. Here is the website to schedule an appointment.
- Walgreen’s also do not do waiting lists. Here is their website for scheduling an appointment, and you can also sign up for updates on availability.
- Kroger’s also do not do waiting lists. Here is the link to schedule an appointment.
- Walmart offers vaccines in some places; the link for scheduling an appointment.
- Some independent pharmacies also offer vaccinations. Consult the CDC website for vaccination seekers to see a list of the pharmacies in your area, as well as the contact information for the stores.
How to register with your health department and / or local hospital.
Some health departments and hospitals release waiting lists and others release appointments at specific times.
Here is a link to contact information for local health departments.
Google “COVID Vaccine” and the hospital name to check the availability of vaccines at your local hospital. Most hospitals require you to create an online account or download an app to get on a waiting list.
Mass vaccine at Ford Field.
The state and federal governments are setting up a mass vaccination clinic at Ford Field in Detroit, where 8,000 people will be vaccinated daily from March 24.
The website will be operational seven days a week from mid-May from 08:00 to 20:30.
Login is available through these three options:
- Online at meijer.com/register/CL2021
- SMS EndCOVID to 75049
- Call the MDHHS COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 (print 1) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The call center is expected to have long waiting times, so only people who cannot register online or by text are recommended.
After the registration process is completed, people who have registered will receive an invitation by voice or sms when it is their turn to plan the appointment. Vaccinations for vaccinations are planned a few days in advance.
State telephones are available for those who cannot register online.
Residents who do not have access to the Internet or who need help planning the vaccination can call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 (print 1) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 08:00. until 13:00
If you have the time …
Almost all vaccination providers in Michigan need appointments. That said, if you show up at the end of a vaccination clinic at a retail pharmacy, it is possible that they have extra vaccines because they do not show up, and you may be able to get your first vaccine that way.
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