Oakland Co. Urges Patience As Residents Wait For COVID-19 Vaccine

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — The Oakland County Health Division is asking residents to remain patient as they wait for doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines because of the overwhelming demand for the COVID-19 vaccine and has launched a website tool to help people save their spot in line for the vaccine.

The health division said it has received 7,800 doses of vaccine, administered about 5,600 vaccines, and has scheduled about 17,000-plus first- and second-dose appointments through the end of February. Minimal vaccine supply limits health officials' ability to schedule appointments for the hundreds of thousands of eligible people in Oakland County who are still waiting to be vaccinated, the department said.

Eligible people can use the newly launched Save Your Spot link on the county's health division website. If someone is unable to complete the form they can also call the county's health hotline at (800) 848-5533.

"We are asking the community to help us plan for administering future doses of vaccine we receive by completing this new form," Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. "This will help us reach residents and workers who are eligible for vaccination when more doses become available. As we receive more vaccine, we will continue to administer them quickly and efficiently until everyone has the opportunity to receive the vaccine."

The Health Division is currently vaccinating people in phases 1A and 1B of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 vaccination plan who work or live in Oakland County.

The COVID-19 vaccine is currently available through local health departments and local health systems. Those currently eligible for the vaccine are healthcare workers, people 65 years and older and frontline essential workers.

In addition to frontline essential workers, there are more than 217,000 Oakland County residents age 65 and older eligible to receive the vaccine in Oakland County, officials said.