BLDHD COVID-19 Vaccine Update

What is the current status of the COVID-19 Vaccination process?        

Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department started providing COVID-19 vaccine to first responders and health care providers in late December 2020 and since we have held 76 large community clinics and 13 small pop-up clinic days in Benzie and Leelanau County. As of yesterday, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, with the help of our amazing partners and volunteers, has administered a total of 18,147 doses to our residents and redistributed 1,074 doses to approved COVID-19 vaccine approved providers.  

We would like to share our appreciation to all our amazing volunteers, community members, businesses, and partners (Munson Healthcare, the Michigan National Guard, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hometown Pharmacy, Private Physician Offices, and Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc.)!  

As of Tuesday, May 25th, all COVID-19 vaccine-approved providers (hospitals, pharmacies, doctor offices, and health departments) have administered a total of 45,447 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Benzie and Leelanau residents. Of those 45,447 doses, 23,818 were initial doses and 21,629 were completion doses (fully vaccinated).   

Who is currently eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?     

• Individuals 12 years and older.   

How will clinics be offered and how to schedule? 

As of 5/25/2021, 83.1% of residents 65 and over and 69.3% of all residents 16 and over in Benzie and Leelanau Counties have received their first or initial dose. For anyone who still needs their 1st or 2nd dose, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is offering self-scheduling for vaccination clinics, accepting walk-ins, and offering community pop-up clinics in targeted areas where vaccination rates are lower.  

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is offering regular weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics, the Leelanau County clinic will be held on Tuesdays in Suttons Bay at the Old Middle School from 12:00-6:00 pm and the Benzie County clinic will be held on Thursdays at Crystal Café in Benzonia from 12:00-6:00 pm. Starting on June 23rd, the Benzie County clinic at Crystal Cafe will move to Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00 pm. These clinics will be open to first or second dose appointments, will be offering all three vaccines, and walk-ins will be accepted. Easy appointment scheduling can be found at www.bldhd.org. 

Additional vaccination sites can be found at vaccines.gov.  

Residents can easily choose the date and location for their appointment on our website. If you need a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer after receiving your first dose elsewhere, please locate an appointment date that is at least 4 weeks after your first Moderna dose or at least 3 weeks after your first Pfizer dose. Anyone who needs assistance scheduling an appointment should call 2-1-1 or their local Senior Services. 

In addition, we will continue offering community pop-up clinics around the area as well as in regular immunization clinics in the Benzie Leelanau District Health Department offices. Our small community pop-up clinics offer all three vaccine choices with no appointment needed!  If a business, organization, or individual would like to request a pop-up clinic at their business, restaurant/bar, grocery store, festival, food pantry, housing community, or other location, please email COVIDvaccine@bldhd.org. Health department staff will follow up on the suggestions with priority given to community locations where vaccination rates are lower. 

Information about upcoming pop-up and weekly clinics can be found below:  

• Thursday, May 27th    
  Crystal Cafe, 1681 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 49616 
  Time: 10:00- 6:00pm   
  Vaccine: Moderna, Janssen, and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor)   
  To schedule an appointment: Click Here   

• Tuesday, June 1st    
  Suttons Bay Middle School Gymnasium, 310 S. Elm Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 
  Time: 12:00- 6:00pm   
  Vaccine: Moderna, Janssen, and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor)   
  To schedule an appointment: Click Here   

• Wednesday, June 2nd    
  Marvin’s Garden Spot, 18345 Honor Hwy, Interlochen, MI 49643 
  Pop-up clinic, walk-ins welcome 
  Time: 1:00- 3:00pm   
  Vaccine: Moderna, Janssen, and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor)   

• Thursday, June 3rd    
  Crystal Cafe, 1681 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 49616 
  Time: 12:00- 6:00pm   
  Vaccine: Moderna, Janssen, and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor)   
  To schedule an appointment: Click Here   

Percentage of residents (16 and over) who have received their initial dose and completed series:       

• Benzie- 63.2% have received their initial dose, 58.4% have completed their series.      

• Leelanau- 74.2% have received their initial dose, 68.6% have completed their series. 

• Michigan- 54.9% have received their initial dose, 48.2% have completed their series.       

• United States (18 years and older)- 61.8% have received their initial dose, 50.3% have completed their series.      

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine percentages and age group, see our COVID-19 vaccine dashboard or MDHHS’s vaccine dashboard. 

As of yesterday, here is where we are currently:       

• Number of vaccine doses administered so far this week: 127 doses  

• Total number of vaccine doses distributed to other providers: 1,074 doses   

• Total number of vaccine doses administered: 18,147 doses   

• Total number of vaccine doses received: 20,546 doses 

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