How Vaccine Distribution Works
Supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine at the local level are extremely limited. Hospital systems, local health departments, and pharmacies are receiving limited doses from the state. CVS and Walgreens are receiving doses from the state to vaccinate residents of nursing homes.
As improvements are made in the distribution plan by the federal government, the supply of vaccine will increase as will the number of providers. There may also be large vaccination sites established. The goal is that residents should have multiple options through which to receive a vaccine. Unfortunately, that is not the case at this time.
Oakland County Health Division Role
In the meantime, Oakland County has established multiple drive-thru clinics and two indoor clinics and can vaccinate thousands of people a day using these sites when there is sufficient vaccine. Additional clinics will be added as vaccine supply increases.
For more information on current COVID-19 vaccine eligibility click here.
The Health Division phone lines are very busy and sometimes Nurse on Call receives over 20,000 calls per day. Oakland County appreciates the public’s patience. Nurse on Call is available at 800-848-5533 to answer health-related questions, make COVID-19 testing appointments, and assist those unable to complete the ‘Save Your Spot‘ link.
Vaccine Availability in Oakland County
The statewide effort to vaccinate Michiganders is happening at multiple levels, including hospital systems, local health departments and certain pharmacies who are approved vaccine providers.
Each of these providers represent a piece of a giant puzzle aimed at reaching all residents as quickly as possible. The Oakland County Health Division works together with these providers to determine who they are currently vaccinating based on the state’s eligible populations and then fills in any gaps to vaccinate other eligible groups.
- Hospitals and certain pharmacy locations are focused on reaching individuals age 65 and older.
- CVS and Walgreens have received doses to vaccinate nursing home residents.
- Information on who Oakland County Health Division is currently vaccinating can be found here.
As vaccine supply increases, so will the number of providers so residents will have more options. Most of the following providers are using online medical charts or portals to notify individuals when they can make appointments:
- Oakland County Save Your Spot
- Ascension Providence
- Beaumont Health
- Henry Ford Health System
- McLaren Oakland
- St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
- Meijer
- Rite Aid
FAQ
How are vaccines being distributed?
Supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine at the local level are extremely limited. Hospital Systems and local health departments are receiving limited doses from the state. CVS and Walgreens are receiving doses from the state to vaccinate residents of nursing homes.
As improvements are made in the distribution plan by the federal government, the supply of vaccine will increase as will the number of providers. There may also be large vaccination sites established. The goal is that residents should have multiple options through which to receive a vaccine.
Will the vaccine be free? Will it be administered through Oakland County? How will you notify when the vaccine is available? Will you let us know which company it will be from?
OCHD will be administering the vaccine, while pharmacies and hospitals may assist. Cost will not be an obstacle to anyone receiving the vaccine.
Information about vaccine availability is updated regularly on this webpage, and anyone can receive updates from OCHD by registering their email address.
What happens to the leftover COVID-19 vaccine doses at the end of each day?
We prepare vaccine onsite so that we can adjust the number of doses in real time, to avoid having leftover vaccine. In the rare instance that we have some doses left, we use it to vaccinate those eligible.
How many people are in a Phase III Trial getting tested?
Thousands of people. Vaccines aren’t able to move to the next phase until they meet those specific numbers that include different age groups as well as people who fall in different races and ethnicities, so that they meet the demographics of what the United States looks like.