GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — COVID-19 vaccine supply is limited throughout West Michigan, but each health department and health system have clinics in place to administer the allotments they are receiving.
The state has currently rolled out the vaccine through Phase 1B, which includes people over age 65 and some essential workers. Registration and scheduling processes have changed as the vaccine rolls out to an increased number of people. Many organizations switched from online scheduling to scheduling by phone after having links leaked.
West Michigan health systems and departments have compiled their registration links at vaccinatewestmi.com/register. These links (in most cases) will direct you to a survey that will then put you onto a list. Once you're on a hospital or county's list, they will contact you to then schedule an appointment when one is available.
While there are many lists to get on currently, health officials ask that you remove yourself from them once you've gotten appointment to avoid taking up space on a waitlist (though not all organizations give you the capability to remove yourself).
As of Friday, Feb. 12, there have been 1,517,959 (both first and second doses) vaccines administered statewide.
KENT COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.
Kent County Health Department estimated Phase 1B may include as much as 20% of the population. As of Feb. 12, there are currently about 18,000 people on the county's waitlist.
The county is currently running a clinic at its Fuller Avenue building, and vaccinating about 3,500 people between first and second doses each week.
To register, fill out the county survey here or call 616-326-6992.
People are chosen from the waitlist based on specific framework, not on a first come first served basis. The framework seeks to serve people from disproportionately impacted zip codes each week, according to Dr. Adam London, director of KCHD.
The county has also partnered with Spectrum Health and Mercy Health for the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at Devos Place. In addition, KCHD is vaccinating people in underserved communities and in congregate living facilities.
OTTAWA COUNTY DEPT. OF PUBLIC HEALTH
To register in Ottawa County, fill out the survey here to get on the list.
The county will then contact you when appointments open up and clinics are being held at GVSU's Holland campus.
The county also recently switched from randomized selection to a first come first served basis for scheduling. OCDPH says 25% of its vaccines will go childcare workers and Pre-K through 12th-grade education staff and 75% is allocated to the target population of those aged 65 and older.
The county does not have a hotline, but directs people to call Michigan's COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 for assistance.
WEST MICHIGAN VACCINE CLINIC
This clinic is a partnership between Spectrum Health, Mercy Health and Kent County hosted at Devos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.
The registration is run by Spectrum, and you can register to get on the waitlist here. You will receive a phone call, email or text message (based on your preference) once an appointment is available.
Call 833-755-0696 for registration assistance from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Spectrum says this facility could vaccinate 40,000 people per day (between first and second doses), but current supply does not allow for that. It's expected that at full capacity this clinic could help vaccinate much of the region.
SPECTRUM HEALTH WEST MICHIGAN
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic uses the same system as Spectrum Health West Michigan.
Spectrum Health is currently offering vaccines both at Devos Place and at a clinic inside a building on 60th Street in Grand Rapids.
People are chosen based on a "ethical framework" and based on eligibility, not just on a first come first served basis. The framework, Spectrum Health leaders say, allows for equal parts of each eligibility group to be vaccinated each week.
METRO HEALTH
Metro Health is scheduling through MyChart, visit this link to learn how to register.
You can also call 616.252.6161 to schedule your vaccine appointment or with any questions. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-F and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.
MUSKEGON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
Muskegon County is collecting information from eligible individuals who want the vaccine through two different surveys. It's asked that you do not fill out these surveys more than once as it requires staff to remove duplicates and slows the process. The county says supply remains limited.
Individuals 65 years and older: Use this vaccine survey.
Employers: Use this vaccine survey.
ALLEGAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPT.
Allegan County is hosting clinics each week as vaccine supply allows. The county says current wait times for eligible individuals is about 6 to 8 weeks. As of Feb. 23, ACHD is providing 75% of vaccine doses to people ages 65 years and older and 25% to other eligible groups.
To get on the county's waitlist, fill out the 'I Want the COVID-19 Vaccine' form here.
If you are registered with another clinic and receive an appointment to then email covidvaccine@allegancounty.org to remove yourself from the county's list.
People in need of help can call 2-1-1 or the ACHD COVID-19 Hotline at 269-686-4546 to provide their information.
Additionally, ACHD has set up free rides to vaccine sites for people ages 65 and older. Call Allegan County Transportation at 269-673-4229 as soon as possible after your vaccine appointment is scheduled.
MEIJER
RITE AID
Phase 1B Includes
- People 65 years of age or older not covered in Phase 1A. This includes those in a congregate setting that were not reached in Phase 1A.
- Prioritized frontline workers whose work role has frequent or intense exposure, and, due to the nature of the work, are not able to maintain social distance. For example, a first responder may have to physically touch other people in their response, and a child care provider cannot maintain social distance from children when caring for their physical needs.
The specific prioritized categories are:- Pre-Kindergarten through high school teachers, support staff and child care workers who usually have direct contact with children
- First responders not covered in Phase 1A (e.g., firefighters, police, conservation officers, inspectors)
- Corrections workers (e.g., staff in prisons, jails, juvenile justice facilities)
- Workers in homeless shelters, congregate child care institutions, and adult and child protective services
If further sub-prioritization is needed of frontline essential workers due to limited vaccine supply, MDHHS will consider prioritizing workers in locations where high rates of transmission and/or outbreaks have occurred and workers who are at increased risk for severe illness based on age or underlying medical conditions.
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