How to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine

Amid the swirling cacophony of information, it can be difficult to know where to turn for accurate COVID-19 vaccine help.

Vaccinate West Michigan is the clearinghouse for all COVID-19 vaccine information.

There, you can find answers to “How do the COVID-19 vaccines work,” “What ingredients are in the Pfizer (and Moderna) vaccine,” “Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe,” “Can children and pregnant women be vaccinated” and other questions.

Those wanting to receive the vaccine can also find out where to sign up for a vaccine waiting list in their county. Spectrum Health also has a vaccine sign up (here) as does Meijer (here).

Due to limited supply, vaccines are being distributed in phases. Currently, eligible individuals are those that are 65 and over, health care workers, first responders, police officers, jail and prison staff, pre-K through 12 teachers and workers in childcare centers and protective services.

Regardless of whether individuals are eligible for vaccination in the current phase, everyone is being encouraged to sign up now for vaccines. Currently, it can take up to six to eight weeks for eligible individuals to be contacted, according to the Allegan County Health Department. 

There is no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccine. However, those with insurance may be asked to provide that information.

The state’s goal is to have 70% of Michigan adults vaccinated by the end of the year.

More than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state - including 8,500 in Allegan County, 33,800 in Ottawa County, and 18,700 in Muskegon County. However, that is out of more than 8 million Michiganders who are 16 or older.

Since Ottawa County’s first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 15, 2020, the county has continued to track different data to aid in decision making around its response planning and public health recommendations.

A new data hub hosts local COVID-19 related data in one location and links to additional data resources from other agencies.

All the information is available to the public at miOttawa.org/COVID19 by clicking the “COVID-19 Data” button. The “Translate” button on the left side of the page makes the information available in a number of languages.

Each county is also posting weekly updates.

For Allegan County updates, visit cms.allegancounty.org/sites/Office/Health/SitePages/COVID19.aspx.

For Ottawa County, visit miOttawa.org/COVID19.

For Muskegon County, visit co.muskegon.mi.us/1611/Coronavirus.

The state also has a COVID-19 vaccine resource website and a COVID-19 dashboard.