WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — The Washtenaw County Health Department is asking the public to remain patient as the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations is beginning to expand.
Starting Monday, Jan. 11, at least 80,000 county residents are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, and can use this link to request an appointment, health department officials said in a news release.
This includes people age 65 and older, as well as frontline and essential workers with frequent or ongoing exposure as a part of their work, including: first responders, police officers, jail and prison staff, pre-K12 teachers, and workers in childcare centers and protective services.
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“It’s a tremendous relief to add vaccination to the resources we have to prevent COVID-19 from causing additional harm, but this process will take time,” said Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County health officer. “We need everyone’s patience, and we need to keep doing everything possible we can to prevent the spread of illness – including wearing face masks, social distancing and isolating or quarantining when needed.”
The COVID-19 vaccine currently is only available through the health department and local health systems. Supplies come at a limited rate, and are allocated through the state week by week, health department officials said.
Health care providers in the first phase who have not been vaccinated through a local health system or provider are still actively being vaccinated by the health department.
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Most initial distribution in this next phase of vaccinations will take place at large, central locations to vaccinate many people quickly, health officials said. Washtenaw County will be offering mass vaccination from central locations and through a mobile team as vaccine capacity allows, officials said.
Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center is currently being used as a vaccination site. Health officials said they are working to confirm a second site on the western side of the county, as well as additional, accessible locations that can be activated as soon as vaccine supplies and staffing resources are available.
Vaccination is not available at the health department and is provided by appointment only at vaccination sites.
“We are working as quickly as possible to provide all available vaccine doses to eligible individuals, and we will continue to open more appointments as vaccine supplies and logistics are confirmed,” officials said. “Please be assured we are vaccinating as quickly as we can and are sharing information as we have it.”
The health department also is actively communicating and coordinating efforts with the employers of eligible workers who may be receiving their vaccination through their employer.
The health department, which can be contacted at 734-544-6700 and l-wchdcontact@washtenaw.org asks that the public reserve phone and email capacity for those who cannot easily access online information. More information can be found on the county’s COVID-19 vaccination webpage.
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