(WWJ) With Michigan having the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in the country and variants floating around, health experts say it’s more important than ever to get your vaccine.
Vaccines have been available to Michiganders 16+ (Pfizer) or 18+ (Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson prior to the pause) since April 5.
However, many people still do not know where to turn to find a vaccine. The good news: there’s plenty of options.
Local pharmacies:
CVS pharmacies in Michigan are offering COVID-19 vaccines at select locations. Anyone 16+ is eligible. At the time of writing this article, all appointments are fully booked but more will be added soon.
Kroger pharmacies in Michigan dedicate an hour each day to vaccinate individuals. Click here to schedule an appointment. You will be asked to answer a series of 3 to 4 easy questions to determine your vaccine eligibility and will then be directed to a page to schedule your vaccine.
Rite Aid pharmacies in Michigan is currently vaccinating individuals 50+ regardless of health status, individuals 18+ with certain conditions that place someone at high risk from complications from the virus, and a variety of essential workers. You can fill out a form to determine if you are eligible for the vaccine through Rite Aid at this link, then you will be directed to schedule the vaccine.
Walgreens invites customers to sign into their Walgreens.com account to complete a “short eligibility screening.” If eligible, they will “look for available appointments in your area" for you.
Facebook groups/vaccine hunting blogs:
Detroit Area Vaccine Hunters Facebook group is home to 18,500 Metro Detroiters, including hundreds of people dedicated to helping complete strangers find and access a vaccine. Pharmacists, health workers and the general public post tips for where extra doses are available multiple times per day.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of metro Detroiters have said they have found a dose through leads on that Facebook page.
Local 4-ClickOnDetroit producer, Ken Haddad, posts on his Twitter account multiple times per day about vaccine availability.
Ford Field
Henry Ford, Meijer, Wayne County, Detroit, the Detroit Lions and Meijer are joining forces to support the largest mass FEMA vaccination site in the state at Ford Field.
The U.S. Airforce also helps deploy the vaccines. The site will be open from 8:30a-8:30p, seven days a week—for at least eight weeks past March 24.
Nearly 70 vaccination pods are spread out across the Concourse.
There are three ways to schedule an appointment:
1. Schedule online.
2. Text EndCOVID to 75049
3. Call State of Michigan COVID hotline at 888-535-6136 (Press 1) Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
County health departments:
Oakland County and Macomb County both have a system where you can sign up online for vaccination appointments. Both Oakland and Macomb are offering vaccinations to anyone 16+ who lives or works in the respective county.
Oakland County residents who cannot schedule online should call the Health Department at: 800-848-5533. The County says they receive over 2,000 calls per day, so residents may need to hold or be offered a callback option.
Macomb County residents who do not have/know how to work a computer should call (586) 421-6579. A health department representative will contact you to schedule an appointment.
Wayne County posts updates frequently at the bottom of this link about walk-in vaccination clinics popping up around the area for county residents or anyone who works in the county. Wayne County residents can call 1-866-610-3885 with questions or to schedule a vaccine.
Washtenaw County residents, or people who work in the county, can check for available appointments in Ypsilanti. Currently, the link says no appointments are available for the next month. Or, in Chelsea, where multiple appointments were available at the time of writing this article.
Washtenaw County residents who cannot use online resources, or are 50+ and have not been vaccinated, are asked to call: 734-544-6700 and leave a message or e-mail wchdcontact@washtenaw.org
Local Health Systems/Hospitals:
Beaumont: Beaumont is inviting patients 16+ with an active MyChart to sign up through the Save My Shot Program.
“Invitations will be emailed based on prioritization and in order of registration as appointments are available,” the website states.
Walk-ups are not accepted at Beaumont vaccination centers.
Henry Ford: Henry Ford patients 16+ can sign up for appointments through MyChart.
Ascension Michigan: In a statement on their website, the health system said they are working to contact “established patients” by e-mail, phone and text to schedule their vaccine. Unlike Beaumont and Henry Ford, they do not have a sign-up system.
Michigan's COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard reports nearly 30% of Michigan residents are fully vaccinated against the virus. Detroit is significantly lower with nearly 17% of residents fully vaccinated, while Oakland County has fully vaccinated nearly 32% of its residents.
In Oakland County, 12.1% of the COVID-19 test results reported in the past day came back positive. Detroit had a nearly 20% (19.7%) positivity rate.
Henry Ford Health System created this Frequently Asked Questions Guide to address questions and concerns about the vaccine.