WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – The Washtenaw County Department of Health is embarking on a new vaccination process to accommodate the larger number of people now eligible for shots.
Instead of waiting to get an appointment from the health department, people can now make appointments online themselves, as it is available at mass vaccination centers in Ypsilanti and Chelsea. New appointments will be added to the Department of Health website at least weekly, or because existing appointments will be canceled, health officials said.
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From Monday 22 March, people aged 50 and over can make an appointment for a vaccination. All Michigan residents 16 years and older can be vaccinated from Monday, April 5th.
Provincial health officials are asking those who are planning an appointment but find another option or are unable to make the appointment, to cancel it so that someone else can take their place.
If there are no appointments available, residents should visit them again later. As before, no one who can make an appointment online can call the health department at 734-544-6700 for assistance.
The Department of Health is expanding its suitability to include essential workers who have not previously been eligible under state guidelines. This includes workers in grocery stores, restaurant workers, veterinarians and others.
Any resident aged 65 and over who has not yet received a vaccination is encouraged to call 734-544-6700 and leave a voicemail or send an email to [email protected] to plan an appointment as soon as possible.
The Department of Health reports that more than 74% of Washtenaw County residents 65 years of age or older have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Retail pharmacies, such as Kroger, Rite Aid, CVS, Walmart and Meijer, receive vaccine supplies directly from the federal government and may have more appointments available than local health departments, health officials said.
“We are delighted that vaccine supplies are starting to improve for us as well as other suppliers,” said Jimena Loveluck, a health officer in Washtenaw County. “We also realize that there are still challenges.”
“Nationwide prioritization and limited inventory have not enabled us to reach all our essential workers and members at higher risk in the community, and we continue to implement strategies to increase access and equitable distribution. to strengthen. “
Local vaccination efforts have expanded to pop-up vaccination clinics to make vaccination more accessible to areas in the country where the impact of COVID-19 was worst or disproportionate.
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The Department of Health will continue to organize community vaccination clinics with partner organizations and community leaders and vaccinate homebound individuals with its Nurse on the Run team.
A list that is regularly updated from COVID-19 vaccine suppliers in Washtenaw County can be found on the Department of Health website.
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