GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Spectrum Health was facing an “astronomical” demand for the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, when it started administering the drug to adults 65 and older, teachers, daycare workers, police and other essential professionals from the front line.
“The demand is truly astronomical,” said Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health West Michigan. “We had more than 45,000 surveys completed from Saturday morning to the end of yesterday.”
The Grand Rapids-based healthcare system opened its first major vaccination clinic on 60th Street on the Grand Rapids subway at 6 am on Monday, January 11 and had 1,800 appointments scheduled for the day, he said. Those interested in getting the vaccine must complete a survey to ensure they are eligible for the drug before making an appointment.
By noon, the Spectrum team had vaccinated 575 people, with 10,000 people expected to be vaccinated by the end of the week.
“Given the amount of vaccine we have, we will not be opening appointments for the next week until we are sure we will receive more vaccine from the government,” said Elmouchi, adding that Spectrum expects to receive 3,000 more doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine but that we “don’t know yet” about the Modern vaccine.
“We would legitimately love as many vaccines as we can get and put them in the arms as soon as possible.”
Michigan launched its COVID-19 vaccination program in late December.
Initially, according to federal guidelines, initial doses of the drug were offered to frontline health professionals and residents of specialized wards. Last week, Whitmer announced that the state was expanding the program to include adults 65 and older, as well as teachers, police, childcare providers and state and federal frontline officials.
The increased eligibility and reduced supply of the vaccine mean that many who now qualify for the drug will not be able to receive a dose immediately.
“I just ask people to be patient because the demand is obviously incredibly high and we are doing our best, but not everyone will get a vaccine this week,” said Elmouchi, who estimated that there are between 300,000 and 400,000 adults aged 65 and over who reside in an area of 16 counties in West Michigan.
Spectrum, which has 14 hospitals in the region, plans to open vaccination clinics this week in Greenville, Hastings and Zeeland, according to a press release. Other clinics are expected to open as soon as more vaccine is available.
Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Spectrum, said that about 20,000 doses of the vaccine have been provided to Spectrum healthcare professionals and rescuers since December 14.
“I am very pleased that 75 percent of our team members want the vaccine and that we have started giving a second dose,” she said.
Spectrum and other hospitals around Michigan felt the pressure of a sudden increase in patients with COVID-19 last fall.
On Monday, Freese Decker said that Spectrum is in a “very different position than we were in last November”. The most recent health system data shows that it has 183 patients with COVID-19, compared to 289 patients in early November. And the positivity rate for COVID-19 was 11.4 percent, compared to 14 percent.
“We hope it will continue to decline,” said Freese Decker. “But for now, we are optimistic that there will be no post-holiday outbreaks.”
To find out how to receive the Spectrum COVID-19 vaccine or to find out if you are entitled to it, click here.
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