Beaumont website crashes due to demand for COVID-19 vaccine

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Michigan officials said adults aged 65 and over are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, January 11.

For now, people will need to make an online appointment to receive the vaccine. No walk-ins will be taken.

Beaumont Health sent 900,000 emails to seniors already enrolled in myBeaumontChart on Thursday night, alerting them that consultations were available. Many people responded, causing the system to crash.

READ: Vaccinations: how to find appointments, information about the stages

“We are happy to be able to move forward with this, but I really want people to be patient,” said Michigan medical director Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “This is not like a flu shot. You can’t just go to a facility or call and demand a vaccine. “

When the system is fixed, it may not be possible to make an appointment weeks in advance. Each hospital system or health department will depend on how many doses the federal government and the state distribute each week, which means that it will likely take several online attempts to get an appointment.

At Beaumont Health, after making an appointment, you will be directed to the hospital’s service center in Southfield. You will see 12 check-in counters that will take you to one of the 24 vaccination stations. After receiving the vaccine, you will go to an observation area for 15 minutes and then make an appointment for a second dose.

“The flow is very fast, but that is why we are emphasizing that you have to make a commitment. We don’t want people in line, ”said Dr. Jeffrey Fischgrund of Beaumont Health. “We found that this is the safest way to vaccinate as many people as possible at once.”

Telephone appointments may be possible in the future.

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