WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – The Washtenaw County Department of Health is starting a new vaccine scheduling process to accommodate the largest number of people now eligible for vaccines.
Instead of waiting to receive an appointment from the health department, people can now book appointments online as they become available at mass vaccination sites in Ypsilanti and Chelsea. New appointments will be added to the health department’s website at least once a week or as existing appointments are canceled, health officials said.
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From Monday, March 22, people aged 50 and over can schedule an appointment for vaccination. All Michigan residents aged 16 and over can be vaccinated as of Monday, April 5.
County health officials are asking those who make an appointment, but find another option, or cannot make it, to cancel it so that someone else can take their place.
If appointments are not available, residents must check back at a later date. As before, anyone who is unable to schedule an appointment online can call the health department at 734-544-6700 for assistance.
The health department is expanding eligibility to include essential workers who were not previously qualified under state guidelines. This includes grocery store employees, restaurant employees, veterinarians and others.
Any resident aged 65 or over who has not yet received the vaccination is encouraged to call 734-544-6700 and leave a voicemail or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment as soon as possible, the authorities said.
The health department is reporting that more than 74% of Washtenaw County residents age 65 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Retail pharmacies, such as Kroger, Rite Aid, CVS, Walmart and Meijer, receive supplies of vaccines directly from the federal government and may have more consultations available than local health departments, health officials said.
“We are excited about the vaccine supplies that are beginning to improve for us as well as for other suppliers,” said Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County health officer. “We also recognize that there are still challenges.”
“State prioritization and limited supplies have not allowed us to reach all of our essential workers and members of the high-risk community, and we continue to implement strategies to increase access and strengthen equitable distribution.
Local vaccination efforts have been expanded to include instant vaccination clinics to make the vaccine more accessible to areas of the county where the impact of COVID-19 has been more severe or disproportionate.
COVID vaccine pop-up clinics reaching the most at-risk communities in Washtenaw County
The Department of Health will continue to organize pop-up community vaccine clinics with partner organizations and community leaders, and to vaccinate individuals who cannot leave home with their Nurse on the Run team.
A regularly updated list of COVID-19 vaccine providers in Washtenaw County can be found on the health department’s website.
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