PHASE 1A

We spoke with the Washtenaw County Health Department's public information officer to get answers about the county's vaccination rollout.

Individuals are seen being monitored for 15 minutes after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at Michigan Stadium on Dec. 31, 2020. ANN ARBOR – For the second straight week, Michigan Medicine has announced it can only provide COVID-19 vaccine appointments to those receiving their second shot due to a limited vaccine supply. Only those who received their first dose through Michigan Medicine are able to receive their second dose at the health system’s vaccine clinics. Michigan Medicine asks those waiting for their first dose to check back next week to see if new appointments are available. The Washtenaw County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine page also has updated information and a vaccine request form for those who are eligible.

ANN ARBOR – In an email sent to patients on Wednesday, Michigan Medicine announced that it will not be administering additional first-dose COVID-19 vaccinations this week due to low supply. “On behalf of all the physicians and staff at Michigan Medicine, thank you for your patience,” read the letter. AdThe state of Michigan is currently prioritizing sending the majority of its vaccine supply to local health departments, with about 40% going to hospitals around the state, officials said. AdMichigan Medicine patients do not need to take action to receive a vaccine through the health system. Established patients are already in the system and will receive invitations to get the vaccine once supply becomes available.

(AP Photo/David Goldman, File)YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department announced Tuesday that it is postponing COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week due to low supply. Individuals who had appointments to be vaccinated during these days will be contacted by the Health Department directly. “This is incredibly difficult for everyone involved,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer with Washtenaw County Health Department said in a news release. Instead, the Health Department is working closely with local providers to administer the Moderna vaccine to residents 65 years and older immediately. Individuals are randomly selected to be vaccinated and information about underlying health conditions is not used by the Health Department at this time.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- As teachers and other school staff await their turn to roll up their sleeves and be vaccinated, Kalamazoo Public Schools remains in virtual mode. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that people, including educators in the next phase would now be eligible for the vaccine. The teachers union -- among other KPS leaders -- has advocated against in-person learning while the risk of COVID-19 remains. Some teachers are excited about getting the vaccine while others are nervous, but the union is happy that the district has remained in virtual mode, Miller said. “KEA is very pleased that KPS has followed the science and determined that virtual learning is what’s safe for now,” she said.

But Phase 1A Phase 1B organizations may now complete a registration form, the health department said. Phase B1 organizations will not receive additional information until the conclusion of Phase 1A, the health department said. A total of 6,255 vaccination doses have been administered across all of Kalamazoo County, according to the state dashboard. The pace of vaccinations locally, officials said, is dependent on vaccine supply received from the state, and shipments of vaccine supply have been limited thus far. Vaccine supply will largely be the determining factor for when Kalamazoo County can move into the next phase, the Kalamazoo County health department said.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine plans to start administering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients age 65 or older as it moves into its new priority phase next week. Those who have had a visit with any Michigan Medicine provider in the past two years are also eligible to receive the vaccine. Michigan Medicine hopes to boost its efforts to administer 3,400 vaccinations daily at several locations, depending on supply. Michigan Medicine is administering vaccines seven days a week with plans to add locations throughout campus. Michigan Medicine is responsible for inoculating the entire University of Michigan community across its three campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department will begin scheduling for the next phase of vaccinations beginning on Monday. Until now, the Health Department has been actively vaccinating health care workers that fall under Phase 1A. Local health departments were authorized this week by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to begin inoculating the following groups starting Monday:People age 65 years or older. “In Washtenaw County, this represents thousands of newly eligible individuals,” read a news release from the Health Department. The Health Department cautions that appointments may be scheduled weeks away depending on vaccine supply and overall capacity.

YPSILANTI, MI — The Washtenaw County Health Department will be expanding vaccinations efforts to include more groups next week, according to a news release Thursday. Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, Washtenaw County will schedule for the next phase, which includes older adults and some essential workers. “In Washtenaw County, this represents thousands of newly eligible individuals,” officials said in the release. At the health department, which has approximately 160 regular and temporary staff, only those who have been working at the in-person vaccine clinic have been offered vaccination, according to Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson. The health department is asking anyone eligible in 1A but not yet vaccinated though a local health system to complete a survey.