(WWJ) Like many communities in Michigan and across the nation, Macomb County is experiencing a COVID-19 vaccine shortage.
Updating the situation this week, County Executive Mark Hackel said, at this point, the area's oldest residents should be the sole focus of the rollout.
"Our target groups here in Macomb County that we're laser focused on, just trying to figure out how to deal with our seniors 75 and older and 65 and with an underlying health issue," Hackel said. "Those are the ones that I think we should just allot all of the vaccines towards right now, so that we take care of that first. But I can't do that according to the state."
Currently, Michigan is allowing vaccinations for all residents age 65 and older, regardless of health status, as well as health care employees, teachers, food service and other frontline workers.
Hackel, desiring more control over who gets their shots, said he wishes the state would only allot doses to the counties — and not to independent health systems.
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So far, Macomb County has been given over 33,000 doses; and has distributed over 22,000 shots to date.
Tuesday morning the county opened up its online system for new appointments, but the slots filled up fast.
Going forward, Hackel said: "We're hoping and waiting for more vaccine; that's the biggest concern. I mean, you do the numbers. A lot of people are trying to get the vaccine, but (there are) very limited doses statewide."
County officials say 6,250 doses will be administered by the count this week; which is 1,025 fewer than last week... and not nearly enough.
"We've extended our conversations with the State of Michigan," Deputy Executive John Paul Rea said. "...We're trying to illustrate that Macomb County has priority and population groups that are more vulnerable. Whether it's the 152,000 seniors that we have; some of those areas where we talk about accessibility, whether it's transportation barriers, language barriers, socioeconomic issues."
For the latest information on getting vaccinated in Macomb County, visit THIS LINK.
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