Health department continues to focus on regions with lower COVID-19 vaccination rates
The number of residents 16 and older vaccinated against COVID-19 in the four-county jurisdiction of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan is strong, yet certain “pockets” of counties are lagging in vaccination rate. Health department staff continue to make reaching out to these communities a top priority.
“At their invitation, we are scheduling pop-up clinics at festivals, farmer markets, art festivals, and downtown businesses to reach residents and visitors,” said Lisa Peacock, Health Officer. “Sometimes it may be only a handful or a dozen people vaccinated at these small clinics, but we look at it as we’ve given a shot of protection to another person or family,” she said, noting the vaccine has been approved for anyone 12 and older.
Community members are invited to suggest locations for health department staff to host pop up clinics in their area. To make a suggested location for a clinic, complete this form.
Currently, 63.6% of all residents 16 and older in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties have received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Just over 60% of that same age group have completed the series – meaning they have received two doses of the vaccine (Pfizer and Moderna are a two-dose vaccine while J&J is one-dose). And some areas of the region have a whopping 90%-plus of their residents covered!
Unfortunately, some areas of the region are lagging and those are the where the health department continues to focus its efforts on boosting vaccination rates. The accompanying map and key from the University of Michigan’s Lighthouse COVID-19 data map indicate the vaccination rate of people 16 and older by zip code for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan region. The health department continues to focus on the areas with lower vaccination rates, as denoted by the light pink on the Lighthouse COVID-19 data map, in addition to offering clinics at all health department office locations.
This map and key from the University of Michigan’s Lighthouse COVID-19 data map indicate the COVID-19 vaccination rate by zip code for residents 16 and older within the Health Department of Northwest Michigan’s four-county jurisdiction.
All area residents and visitors 12 and older are welcome at any of the health department clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine and have the option of scheduling an appointment ahead of time or simply walking in. Parent consent is required for minors. Anyone may call 800-432-4121 if they have questions or are not able to find a time or date that works for them and/or their child. Clinics offer client choice of Pfizer, Moderna or J&J unless otherwise noted. Upcoming clinics include:
Wednesday, July 21
- 1-4:25 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 3434 M-119, Harbor Springs. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
Thursday, July 22
- 8:15-11:30 a.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 205 Grove St., Mancelona. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
- 2-6 p.m. – Health Department of Northwest Michigan, 95 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
Friday, July 23
- 8:30-10:30 a.m. – Elk Rapids Farmers Market, 305 US-31, Elk Rapids. Vaccine: Pfizer or J&J. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
- 6-8 p.m. – Venetian Festival, Bridge St., Charlevoix. Vaccine: Pfizer or J&J. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
Saturday, July 24
- 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. – Northern Michigan Antique Flywheelers, 145 US-131, Boyne Falls. Vaccine: Pfizer or J&J. To schedule an appointment: Click Here
The calendar on the website www.nwhealth.org lists clinics currently scheduled through August 12.
Stay up to date on the latest information in the Health Department of Northwest Michigan jurisdiction by liking and following our Facebook page and visiting our COVID-19 Data Dashboard. To locate a testing facility, visit the Michigan COVID-19 Test Finder website. To track the risk levels of COVID-19 pandemic indicators, visit the MI Safe Start Map website. For more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the MDHHS vaccine website or the CDC vaccine website.
