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Your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered: When am I eligible? How can I register?

Detroit Free Press - 2/2/2021

A month and a half after the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the state, many Michiganders are wondering, "When am I going to get my vaccine?"

We get asked that question a lot. And a host of others. So let us help answer those questions for you.

Who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan?

Because vaccines are in such short supply, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created priority groups to help states determine who should get the first injections.

It defines Phase 1A priority group as health care personnel and people living and working in long-term care facilities. Group 1B includes front-line essential workers such as paramedics and first responders as well as people ages 75 years and older.

But each state has the authority to tailor vaccine prioritization in a way that best meets its needs. Michigan has now opened up vaccine eligibility to:

Phase 1A: Long-term care facility staff and residents as well as health care workers. Phase 1B: People ages 75 and older; front-line state and federal workers; teachers and school staff; child care workers, law enforcement officers, including jail and prison employees. Some people in Phase 1C: People ages 65-74.

Here is a full list of how Michigan prioritizes its residents.

Luck, foresight and science: How an unheralded team developed a COVID-19 vaccine in record time

More: Whitmer pledges vaccine rollout improvements, but state remains dependent on feds

Where can I go to get a shot?

It depends on what priority group you're in and where you live.

SENIORS: If you are 65 or older and you get care from a hospital or health system, you can register through that hospital for a vaccine. In addition, some Meijer pharmacies are offering vaccinations to seniors.

To register for a vaccine through a Meijer pharmacy, go to https://clinic.meijer.com/ or text the word "COVID" to 75049 or call your local Meijer pharmacy.

In addition, some local health departments also are vaccinating some people ages 65 and older, though it depends on the location. (See below for more details about how to sign up through local hospitals or health departments.)

HEALTH CARE WORKERS: If your workplace is affiliated with a hospital or health system, that hospital or health system will schedule your vaccination.

If you are an independent health care provider, vaccinations can be scheduled through your local health department. Some hospitals are also vaccinating independent health care workers. Check with your employer, hospital or county health department to see how you can get a shot.

FIRST RESPONDERS/LAW ENFORCEMENT: Local health departments are scheduling these appointments. It's best to check with your employer or local health department about how you can get a vaccine.

TEACHERS AND CHILD CARE WORKERS: Public school districts and regional educational service agencies are working through local health departments to schedule vaccinations. If you work for a charter school or private school, contact your employer or the check the website of the local health department where you live or work to see when you can make an appointment. Check with your local health department about scheduling a vaccine if you are a child care worker.

LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS/WORKERS: Vaccinations are being handled by federal pharmacy partners Walgreens and CVS. Contact the long-term care facility you or your loved one lives in or works in for details.

OTHERS ELIGIBLE NOW: The state health department has links to local health departments on this website: www.michigan.gov/covidvaccine where you can get more information.

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine through my hospital?

Many hospitals and health care systems have begun offering vaccines to their patients ages 65 and older as well as health care workers.

Some are registering patients by invitation only as vaccines become available according to those who are most vulnerable. Others are using a random system. Some are registering patients for vaccines through the electronic patient portal, such as My Chart. Still others have not begun vaccinating any patients 65 and older yet.

Click on the links below to find COVID-19 vaccine information for southeastern Michigan hospitals and hospital systems:

Ascension Michigan: Ascension St. John Hospital, Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren and Madison Heights, Ascension Providence Hospitals in Novi, Southfield and Rochester, Ascension River District Hospital, Ascension Genesys Hospital

Beaumont Health: With hospitals in Royal Oak, Farmington Hills, Dearborn, Trenton, Grosse Pointe, Troy, Taylor and Wayne

Detroit Medical Center: Hospitals include Detroit Receiving, Harper University Hospital, Sinai-Grace Hospital, the DMC Heart Hospital, Children's Hospital of Michigan, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Garden City Hospital

Henry Ford Health System: With hospitals in Clinton Township, Detroit, Jackson, West Bloomfield and Wyandotte

McLaren Health Care: McLaren Bay Region, McLaren Bay Special Care, McLaren Caro Region, McLaren Central Michigan, McLaren Flint, McLaren Greater Lansing, McLaren Lapeer Region, McLaren Macomb, McLaren Northern Michigan, McLaren Oakland, McLaren Orthopedic Hospital, McLaren Port Huron, McLaren Thumb Region, McLaren St. Luke's, and Karmanos Cancer Institute

Sparrow Health System: Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Sparrow St. Lawrence Hospital, Sparrow Carson Hospital, Sparrow Ionia Hospital, Sparrow Eaton Hospital, Sparrow Clinton Hospital, and Sparrow Specialty Hospital

St. Joseph Mercy Health System: St. Mary Mercy Hospital Livonia, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital

Memorial Healthcare Owosso Hospital

Michigan Medicine: University of Michigan Medical Center, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Von Voightlander Women's Hospital

Veterans Affairs Hospitals: John D. Dingell V.A. Medical Center, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Wayne County?

The Wayne County Public Health Department is now vaccinating people in Phase 1A who are not affiliated with a hospital or health system as well as teachers who live and work in the county (outside the city of Detroit).

Complete this form to reserve a spot in line. Shots are being given by appointment only at Schoolcraft College's VisTaTech Center, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, and Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus in Taylor. The county is using its health administration building in Wayne to administer Pfizer vaccines.

More: Wayne County COVID-19 vaccine information

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in the city of Detroit?

Mayor Mike Duggan announced Thursday the city of Detroit is expanding vaccine eligibility because of a "near tripling" of vaccine doses coming this week.

The shots are given by appointment only by calling 313-230-0505, and are administered in the TCF Center garage. Among those eligible for appointments:

Detroiters ages 65 and older Health care workers who are not employed by hospitals and who live or work in the city. That includes people who work at independent doctor and dentist offices, chiropractors, occupational and physical therapists and those at veterinary centers. Clergy Funeral home workers U.S. Postal Service workers who live or work in the city

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Oakland County?

The Oakland County Health Division is now vaccinating workers in health care, long-term care; law enforcement, fire and EMS; education staff, and individuals 65 years and older who live or work in Oakland County by appointment only at several locations.

Complete this form to save your spot in line. To sign up for email updates, go to oaklandcountyvaccine.com or text OAKGOV to 28748. The county will contact those who have registered when they are eligible to receive a vaccine. If you are unable to complete the online form, call the hotline at 800-848-5533.

More: Oakland County COVID-19 vaccine information

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Macomb County?

Macomb County is vaccinating groups 1A and 1B at the VerKuilen Building, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township. This includes:

People ages 65 and older Front-line essential workers who live or work in Macomb County, including police officers, first responders, front-line state and federal workers, jail and prison staff PreK-12 school personnel Child care providers Home health care and hospice workers

New vaccination appointments open up at 8:30 a.m. each Tuesday and close when all available doses have been allocated. To schedule an appointment, call: 586-463-8777 or go to the Macomb County Health Department's online scheduling page: www.macombgov.org/covidvaccine

More: Macomb County COVID-19 vaccine information

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Ingham County?

The Ingham County Health Department has opened COVID-19 vaccination appointments to seniors ages 65 and older along with others in priority groups 1A and 1B.

To schedule a shot in Ingham County, you must live or work in the county and complete this registration form on the county's health department website. When the person's vaccination priority group is eligible and supply allows, the person will receive a link to schedule an appointment via email.

People who don't have access to the Internet may call 517-887-4311 to schedule an appointment.

More: Ingham County COVID-19 vaccine information

How can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in Washtenaw County?

The Washtenaw County Health Department is vaccinating health care providers and people ages 75 and older not covered by a local hospital system, long-term care facility workers and residents, first responders, child care workers, those who work in pre-K -12 schools, law enforcement officers, workers in homeless shelters, adult and child protective services employees.

Anyone who meets those eligibility requirements and does not have a primary health care provider with Michigan Medicine, the St. Joseph Mercy Health System, the VA or IHA, or who is eligible because of your employment, can request an appointment from Washtenaw County here. Or call 734-544-6700.

More: Washtenaw County COVID-19 vaccine information

Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in a county where I don't live?

Yes. If you work in another county, you may be eligible for a vaccine there.

Where are drive-through sites?

It depends on the county. But you can't just show up at any vaccination site expecting to get a shot. They are by appointment only.

I registered for a vaccine, now what?

Wait. Be patient. You will be contacted when a vaccine is available for you.

Local health departments say they are overwhelmed with requests and don't have enough supply to meet the demand. It could be weeks or months before it's your turn.

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Staff writer Christina Hall contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Your COVID-19 vaccine questions answered: When am I eligible? How can I register?

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