UPDATES
More Muskegon County residents are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations following a Wednesday, Jan. 6, announcement from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Vaccines in Muskegon County are being distributed in four phases as they become available. Muskegon County vaccine quantities are still limited and are being distributed as quickly as possible.
Public Health – Muskegon County will continue to prioritize available vaccines to those at greatest risk of COVID-19 exposure and negative health outcomes, Muskegon County Public Health Officer Kathy Moore said following the announcement.
“We are excited that more Muskegon County residents are now eligible to receive a vaccination,” said Moore. “We will continue to make sure our limited supply of vaccines gets into the arms of those most at risk as quickly as possible.”
Public Health – Muskegon County has been working with its partners to vaccinate Muskegon County residents covered in Phase 1A. Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons working in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents and workers in long term care facilities.
The announcement will allow vaccination to begin for those covered by Phase 1B and those 65 and older. Phase 1B also includes Muskegon County's frontline essential workers, including first responders, frontline state and federal workers and jail and prison staff; and pre-K-12 teachers and childcare providers.
Anyone 65 and older are encouraged to take action by filling out the Public Health - Muskegon County Vaccination Request form below. This secure form will help streamline the vaccination process and help Public Health – Muskegon County identify eligible individuals when vaccines are available.
Vaccinations for other individuals eligible in Phases 1A and 1B will be coordinated through their employer. Those individuals DO NOT need to fill out the Vaccination Request form and should follow instructions provided to them by their employer.
Vaccinations for those not included in Phase 1A and 1B are expected to occur later in 2021. Information on the vaccination process will be posted here as it becomes available. You can learn more about the state phases by clicking here.
Ongoing vaccination information will also be distributed through the social media channels of Public Health – Muskegon County and HealthWest as well as local media.
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VACCINE
FAQ
Should I get vaccinated for COVID-19?
It is strongly recommend you get vaccinated. The vaccine will help protect you from getting COVID-19. If you still get infected after you get vaccinated, the vaccine may prevent serious illness. By getting vaccinated, you can also help protect people around you.
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use or in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. However, it typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. That means it’s possible you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and get sick.
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you can catch it more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long this protection will last.
Can my child get vaccinated for COVID-19?
No. More studies need to be conducted before COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for children younger than age 16.
What vaccine phase am I in?
You can learn more about the state phases by clicking here.
Is it safe to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?
You should ask your physician any specific questions related to the vaccine and your personal medical conditions. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people with underlying health problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and obesity. People with these conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
Is it better to get natural immunity to COVID-19 rather than immunity from a vaccine?
No. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long this protection lasts. Vaccination is the best protection, and it is safe. People who get COVID-19 can have serious illnesses, and some have debilitating symptoms that persist for months.
Why do I need two COVID-19 shots?
Currently authorized vaccines, and most vaccines under development, require two doses of vaccine. The first shot helps the immune system recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. You need both to get the best protection. In Michigan, we are guaranteed second doses of the proper vaccine for all first vaccines administered.
Will the shot hurt or make me sick?
There may be side effects, but they should go away within a few days. Possible side effects include a sore arm, headache, fever, or body aches. This does not mean you have COVID-19. Side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to build immunity. If they don’t go away in a week, or you have more serious symptoms, call your doctor.
Are there long-term side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Because all COVID-19 vaccines are new, it will take more time and more people getting vaccinated to learn about very rare or possible long-term side effects. The good news is, at least 8 weeks’ worth of safety data were gathered in the clinical trials for all the authorized vaccines, and it’s unusual for vaccine side effects to appear more than 8 weeks after vaccination.
How do I know if the COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
All COVID-19 vaccines were tested in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people to make sure they meet safety standards and protect adults of different ages, races, and ethnicities. There were no serious safety concerns. CDC and the FDA will keep monitoring the vaccines to look for safety issues after they are authorized and in use.
How do I report problems or bad reactions after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Recipients who receive the vaccine can enroll in v-safe. This is a smartphone tool you can use to tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you report serious side effects, someone from CDC will call to follow up. You can register by clicking here.
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