Tracking COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Macomb County

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in its very early stages, health departments are dealing with challenges that could be slowing the process.

The goal was to get 20 million Americans vaccinated by the new year, but we haven’t come even close to that number.

READ: Michigan Medicine expands eligibility for systemwide COVID-19 vaccination

Macomb County is getting 1,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine a week. Officials said those doses are coming in and are being given out -- primarily to about 2,000 EMT’s around the county.

There are doses available and the county is reaching out to nursing home employees and residents to get doses to people. Two doses are needed, but the county isn’t holding onto the second dose. The doses that come in, immediately go out.

READ: Michigan ranks low in state vaccination percentages nationwide

Next week, the county will be asking for 10,000 doses a week as they move from phase one to B, to vaccinate essential workers and then people 75 years old and older.

Counties need more direction from the state to say who is an essential worker.

Watch the video above for the full report.

READ: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine data

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