KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department continues to vaccinate individuals in all three-priority groups of Phase 1A.
In response to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announcement today about those in Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A being eligible to receive the vaccine, Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department is providing the following update:
- Kalamazoo County is in the process of vaccinating all of Phase 1A.
- There are organizations within Phase 1A that are still awaiting vaccination that includes over 200 organizations identified with roughly 5,000+ individuals.
- To date, the health department has received 1,950 vaccine doses, and has vaccinated 2,029 individuals. It is important to note that more people have been vaccinated than anticipated due to some vials containing more than the official five doses.
- Currently this is a two-dose process, so the number of people waiting for vaccine, clinics held, and vaccine administered is doubled when considering resources and supplies.
- Vaccination is dependent on vaccine supply received from the State. Shipment of vaccine supply has been limited. Vaccine supply will largely be the determining factor for when Kalamazoo County can move into the next phase.
- We are exhausting 90% of vaccine supply within 7 days of receiving it.
- As vaccine supply increases, we will increase vaccination clinics to meet the needs.
- All vaccine clinics are by invite-only with set appointment times for organizations in Phase 1A. There are no walk-in vaccination clinics.
- We are working with our local healthcare partners, Ascension Borgess, Bronson Healthcare, Family Health Center, and WMed Health in a coordinated effort to vaccinate Phase 1A in Kalamazoo County. We will communicate when the vaccine is available to those eligible in Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A.
Preparation for Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department is currently working on planning for Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A vaccination clinics. We will launch a pre-registration process and will notify those in Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A when it is launched.
While those in Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A are now eligible to receive the vaccine, vaccine supplies are limited and not available. All vaccine clinics are by appointment only and are scheduled at specific times. There are no walk-in vaccination clinics.
Officials also note that pre-registration for Phase 1B and Phase 1C Group A has not launched yet. There is no early registration or sign-up.
“Although it is encouraging that many people would like to be vaccinated, we understand it is frustrating to not know when you will receive it,” County health officials said in a statement. “We know you have many questions about the process, when it will be your turn, and how you will be notified. If you are in a critical infrastructure/essential worker role, your communication will come through your employer. If you are a person age 65 or over (or you have a family member in that category), please pay close attention to updates through the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department’s website, and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/KalamazooCountyHCS. We will notify the public via press release, social media, and our website.”
Officials add work continues to vaccinate all of those that are eligible as soon as possible.
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