We know you have many questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Please understand that details are changing rapidly. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions. These will continue to be updated as information becomes available.
Start with your local health system or public health department
In an effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information on where the vaccine is available and how to schedule an appointment, we encourage you to check with your local health system or health department. These are the organizations that currently have the vaccine and are beginning the process of vaccinating those now eligible to receive it.
There is no cost to you to receive the vaccine, no matter where you get it.
Following is a list of many (but not all) of the state’s health systems and resources:
Some pharmacies and other retail outlets are beginning to receive the vaccine. For the latest list of participating pharmacies, visit the CDC website. It’s important to remember that participating pharmacies vary by state and may change, so make sure you’re looking at list of Michigan pharmacies.
Midwest governors encourage residents to plan for vaccination
The state of Michigan has ordered a phased rollout of the vaccine. These phases are based on things like age, occupation, and level of risk for contracting COVID-19.
As of Jan. 11, 2021, the following individuals are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Michigan:
Anyone 65 years or older
Essential workers identified by the state of Michigan that include first responders, staff and teachers in K-12 education, childcare workers, some frontline state and federal workers, jail/correctional facility workers, employees of shelters
Health care workers and employees of health systems
Those living and working in long-term care facilities
Emergency medical responders
For the latest information on the phases of the vaccine rollout, visit the State of Michigan website.
No. Once you are eligible to receive the vaccine, you may schedule your vaccination at any time, even if the State has moved to the next phase of eligibility
Health systems and public health departments across Michigan are working to create specific sites to administer the vaccine. We expect that list of sites to grow in the coming days and weeks and to be posted on the health system and public health department websites (see list above).
To receive a vaccine, you must schedule an appointment.Many health systems are scheduling appointments online via their electronic record scheduler.Visit the website of your local health system or health department to see how they are scheduling appointments (see list above).
There may be delays in scheduling due to the number of people wanting an appointment and the availability of clinical staff to administer the vaccine. We expect the list of vaccine locations to grow in the coming days and weeks, which will make it easier for you to schedule an appointment close to home. Please know that shipments of the vaccine are coming to health systems on a regular basis and there will be enough for everyone who wants it (within each phase of the state of Michigan’s order).
There is no cost to you to receive the vaccine. You will be asked to show your insurance card, but you will not be billed any copays or other costs for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine is an important tool in combatting the coronavirus, and stopping this pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but it may also protect the people around you, particularly those at increased risk for severe illness related to COVID-19.
For more information on the benefits of the vaccine and how it can stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the CDC website or State of Michigan website.
If you have questions related to a specific health condition, please contact your primary care physician.
