Vaccination underway for some Muskegon County residents
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.
Vaccination is currently open to individuals 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.
Phase 1B and those 65 and older. Phase 1B also includes Muskegon County's frontline essential workers, including first responders, jail and prison staff, pre-K-12 teachers, and childcare providers.
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As of March 1, agricultural and food workers are eligible to get vaccinated.
As of March 8, Muskegon County residents aged 50+ with underlying health conditions and family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs are eligible to get vaccinated.
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As of March 22, all Muskegon County residents age 50 and older are eligible for vaccination.
Beginning April 5, vaccine eligibility will expand to any Muskegon County resident over the age of 16. Please note that although eligibility is expanding to cover the majority of our county’s residents, vaccine quantities may delay your ability to be vaccinated once eligible as we are still working to prioritize individuals age 50+, individuals with underlying health conditions, and essential workers.
Muskegon County residents interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to register with a Mask Up Muskegon partner vaccination clinic, as well as other retail pharmacies that are offering vaccines. Links to register with both Mercy Health and Meijer are below. You can find sign-up information for additional vaccine distributors by clicking here.
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Individuals can also call 2-1-1 with assistance in vaccine scheduling or with any questions related to vaccination prioritization.
To register at Mercy Health:
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Click the link below or click here to be taken to the Mercy Health website for instructions on how to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to be a Mercy Health patient in order to register for a vaccine at Mercy Health. Individuals will be asked to either visit their current MyChart account or create one and register for vaccination through that account.
To register at Meijer:
Text the word COVID to 75049 to start the registration process, click the link below or by clicking here.
Community members are encouraged to assist eligible friends and family members who may not have Internet access or otherwise face obstacles when it comes to registering.
Please be aware it may take some time to be contacted to schedule an appointment as the demand for vaccination is extremely high and vaccine supplies are limited and unpredictable.
Public Health - Muskegon County will continue vaccinating individuals by eligible employers, as well as holding community vaccination clinics and conducting outreach to communities and individuals that are part of the Social Vulnerability Index.
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Employers can get more information about coordinating mass vaccinations for their staff by visiting the Essential Employer Vaccination Request form at the link below.
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Keep checking www.MaskUpMuskegon.org or register below for email communications on upcoming community clinics.
Additional information on the vaccination process will be posted here as it becomes available. You can learn more about the state phases by clicking here.
Muskegon County Residents wanting a COVID-19 vaccination are encouraged to register at both lists below:
Are you an employer looking to get your staff vaccinated?
Public Health - Muskegon County and its partners are working to coordinate with local companies wishing to have their essential worker staff vaccinated. If you are an employer that would like to participate, please fill out the Essential Employer Vaccination Request form at the link below. Be aware, it may take some time for a clinic to be scheduled due to unpredictable vaccine supply and high demand.
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Self-employed workers are also encouraged to fill out this form.
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.
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Should I register for vaccination with Public Health - Muskegon County AND Meijer?
Yes. These organizations are both working to vaccinate Muskegon County residents. Eligible residents are encouraged to register with both organizations.
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Where can I get more information on the Meijer vaccination clinic?
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You can visit ​https://clinic.meijer.com/ or you can click here to download the Meijer FAQ.
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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.
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What vaccine phase am I in?
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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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Where can I get more information on the available vaccines?
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You can review the Moderna Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet by clicking here. The Pfizer-BioNTECH Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet is available by clicking here. The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Emergency Use Authorization Fact Sheet is available by clicking here.
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