01/29/2021
COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION
On Monday, Jan. 11, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) began vaccinating residents 65 and older along with frontline workers — including police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers and jail and prison staff, and preK-12 teachers and childcare providers — to help reach the state’s goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over age 16 and bring a quicker end to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan.
Since then, the state has been working around the clock to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine is distributed and administered as quickly as possible. Vaccination is our path back to normal life and a strong economy.
If you fall into the above-named categories of individuals eligible to start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, you should contact your county health department or local vaccine clinic to schedule your vaccination appointments. Don’t know how to reach them? Read on for more information, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccination right now?
All counties in Michigan are now vaccinating residents over age 65.
I’m not over age 65, so when can I receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
Priority groups and phases set by MDHHS, following guidance from the CDC, are as follows:
- Phase 1A: Paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, and who are unable to work from home, as well as residents in long-term care facilities.
- Phase 1B: Persons 75 years of age or older and frontline essential workers in critical infrastructure.
- Phase 1C: Individuals 16 years of age or older at high risk of severe illness due to COVID-19 infection and some other essential workers whose position impacts life, safety, and protection during the COVID-19 response.
- Phase 2: Individuals 16 years of age or older.
How do I schedule an appointment to get vaccinated?
Visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine to find your local health department and other local vaccine clinics near you. You should schedule your COVID-19 vaccination appointments through your county health department or local vaccine clinic. Please note that you must have an appointment scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; walk-ins will not be accepted.
It is also important to note that there is limited vaccine available in the state, and so there will be limited appointments available. As more vaccine becomes available, the state will be able to move more quickly through the priority groups.
How many doses of the vaccine will I need to get?
The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks depending on the manufacturer (Pfizer vaccines are given 3 weeks apart; Moderna vaccines are given 4 weeks apart). Michiganders should receive both doses to have full protection from the virus.
Do I still need to wear a mask and practice social distancing once I receive the vaccine?
Yes, you should continue to wear a mask, social distance from people not in your household, and wash your hands often, even after receiving the vaccine.
How much does it cost to get vaccinated?
There will be no out-of-pocket costs to individuals for the vaccine, however, health care providers may bill insurance for administrative costs.
Are there any possible side effects I should be aware of?
You may experience mild side effects such as a low-grade fever, sore arm, and general discomfort, which indicate that the vaccine is working. There is a robust state and national process for tracking vaccines and reporting side effects.
I have already had COVID-19, so should I still get vaccinated?
Yes, there is not enough information currently available to say if, or how long after infection, you are protected from getting COVID-19 again. Current research suggests that a natural immunity doesn’t last long, so getting the vaccine is still important.
Will I be required to get the vaccine?
MDHHS, the CDC, and local public health officials highly recommend you get the COVID-19 vaccine, but there may be religious or medical reasons that allow you to opt out of receiving it. You should talk with your doctor about any concerns you have.
Where can I find more information?
For more information, call the state’s COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. As additional information and resources become available, it will be posted to this site.
Additionally, Michigan is participating in a federal pharmacy partnership to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Phase 1A priority groups in long-term care facilities. More information on this partnership can be found on the official Michigan.gov website.
KENT COUNTY & GRAND RAPIDS CONTACT INFORMATION
Kent County
For more information specific to COVID-19 vaccination distribution in Kent County, contact the Kent County Health Department at 616-632-7100 or visit accesskent.com/health.
The Kent County Health Department is currently vaccinating individuals within Phase 1A and Phase 1B. Please carefully review the criteria to ensure you are eligible to receive the vaccine before completing the survey.
How to make a vaccination appointment:
At this time, appointment availability is limited due to the supply of vaccine. Following completion of this survey, a Kent County Health Department representative will call you as vaccination appointments become available. If you would like assistance in completing the survey/pre-registration form, please call 616-326-6992.Please note that it may take several weeks before you are called to schedule an appointment.
Where to go to get the vaccine administered:
Vaccinations for the Kent County Health Department will be administered at 700 Fuller Ave. NE in Grand Rapids. You must complete the survey/pre-registration form detailed above and have a scheduled appointment to receive the vaccine. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Grand Rapids
You can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at several vaccination clinics in the Grand Rapids area. Contact each clinic for specific criteria and appointment information.
West Michigan Vaccine Clinic
Doses of the vaccine are being offered at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, by appointment only thanks to a collective, community-focused effort between Kent County, Spectrum Health, and Mercy Health officials.
As of now, those eligible for the vaccine include people age 65 and older, as well as teachers, childcare workers, law enforcement and other essential frontline workers. Appointments for the clinic can be made online at wmvaccineclinic.org or by calling 833-755-0696.
Spectrum Health
Like other places, vaccine distribution at a Spectrum Health facility is dependent on vaccine supply, which varies from week-to-week. Scheduling will take place as Spectrum Health receives vaccine doses.
To find out more about scheduling a vaccination, go to SpectrumHealth.org/vaccine. Community members are also encouraged to download the Spectrum Health app and sign up for a MyChart account, which is a key step in the scheduling process for a vaccination appointment.
If you are eligible for a vaccine and unable to complete your registration online, call 833-755-0696. Assistance is available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Mercy Health
Please know that Mercy Health has closed vaccine scheduling at this time due to extremely limited supplies, and they are asking people not to call or email for an appointment due to the supply issue. Currently, they are not offering a phone-based appointment system but do plan to schedule appointments using an online process that will soon be available, and once they have adequate doses on hand to vaccinate more people.
You do not have to be a patient of a Mercy Health provider to receive the vaccine. Anyone interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine through Mercy Health is asked not to call their provider, but instead to frequently check MercyHeath.com for additional information and updates.
Stay safe and be well,
Winnie Brinks
State Senator
29th District