When can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?,
We are working to schedule vaccine appointments as fast as we can, but we are limited by supply. Future vaccine shipment dates and quantities are not guaranteed, so we cannot provide estimated vaccination dates.
Vaccination appointments will be offered to priority groups as outlined within the 
Michigan COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Prioritization Guidance. This guidance outlines several phases and priority groups, which we will utilize during our vaccine distribution efforts.
Individuals who completed Livingston County's COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form will be sorted by priority group and randomly selected to schedule appointments as they become available. Please be patient and continue to check this webpage for timely updates regarding vaccine availability.
Is there a cost to get vaccinated?,
No fees will be charged to get vaccinated. There will be no cost sharing from insurance plans. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. COVID-19 providers agree to administer vaccine regardless of an individual’s ability to pay and regardless of their coverage status, and may not seek any reimbursement, including through balance billing, from a vaccine recipient. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Vaccine providers can get this fee reimbursed by the patient’s public or private insurance company or, for uninsured patients, by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund.
Will more than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine be required?,
The number of doses required depends on the manufacturer.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines need two shots to be effective. It is very important that you receive the vaccine from the same manufacturer both times and get the doses within the required time frame to ensure the best protection from COVID-19. If you receive the Pfizer vaccine the second dose should be administered between 3-6 weeks after the first. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered between 4-6 weeks after the first.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one dose.
Can any doctor’s office, clinic, or pharmacy offer the COVID-19 vaccine?,
Initially, the federal government will distribute a limited supply of vaccine to each state. Michigan has allocated this limited supply to hospitals and health care settings where workers have contact with patients. Long term care facilities where some of the most vulnerable people live will also receive supply, which will be distributed through pharmacies and local health departments with support from the Michigan National Guard.
Doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies who are enrolled in the vaccination program can offer the vaccine when the vaccine becomes available to them. As supply increases, doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies will be able to obtain the vaccine directly, hopefully in late Spring 2021.
In the meantime, you can add your name to multiple waiting lists:
In addition to completing our COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form, you can also check the websites of your primary healthcare provider and local pharmacy for more information about being added to their vaccination waiting list. See more locations below.
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Ford Field in Detroit: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says this mass
vaccination site is set to officially open on March 24th, and will
operate seven days a week, from 8am to 8:30pm through mid-May. Sign-up is available through three options:
-
Online at meijer.com/register/CL2021
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Text EndCOVID to 75049
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Call the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1)
Kroger Pharmacy:
Kroger store pharmacies in Michigan are now offering COVID-19
vaccinations. Individuals must meet the current phase eligibility
criteria in order to
make a vaccination appointment at https://www.kroger.com/rx/covid-eligibility or by calling
866-211-5320.
Meijer Pharmacy:
Meijer Pharmacy offers a COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration process,
which anyone can use to add their name to Meijer’s waiting list.
Complete the pre-registration process at:
https://clinic.meijer.com/.
Rite Aid Pharmacy: Rite
Aid has also begun offering limited vaccination appointments. When
appointments are available, you will be able to view and schedule them
at:
https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier.
Is the vaccine safe?,
The process used to approve the COVID-19 vaccines is the same proven process that was used to create safe and effective vaccines for the flu, polio, measles, whooping cough and more. While the COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine authorized or approved for use.
More information about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is available at the CDC’s website:
Does the vaccine have any side effects? ,
After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some mild side effects. This is a normal sign that your body is building protection. The side effects from COVID-19 vaccination may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. You may experience a low-grade fever, headache, and just a general feeling of “not yourself”. These are signs that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to, which is produce an immune response for you to have protection against this disease.
How are side effects being tracked?
The CDC runs the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), a national system to detect any possible symptoms or side effects that occur after someone has had a vaccine. Anyone who has had a vaccine can report concerns to VAERS.
Can the vaccine give me a COVID-19 Infection?,
No. None of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States use the live virus that causes COVID-19. There are several different types of vaccines in development. The goal for each of them is to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity. Learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work.
It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity after vaccination. This means it is possible a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or after vaccination and get sick. This is because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection.
Will I test positive for COVID-19 after getting the vaccine?,
No. Vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States won’t cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.
If your body develops an immune response, which is the goal of vaccination, there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.
Will the mRNA vaccine alter my DNA? ,
No. mRNA stands for messenger ribonucleic acid and can most easily be described as instructions for how to make a protein or even just a piece of a protein. mRNA is not able to alter or modify a person’s genetic makeup (DNA). The mRNA from a COVID-19 vaccine never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA are kept. This means the mRNA does not affect or interact with our DNA in any way. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to disease.
Learn more about how COVID-19 mRNA vaccines work.
Will people who have already had COVID-19 be able to get vaccinated?,
Yes. People who have had COVID-19 can still get a vaccine. CDC recommends getting it after you have recovered. You should check with your health care provider if you have questions.
If I already had COVID-19, should I get vaccinated? Shouldn’t I be immune?,
Yes, you should still get the COVID-19 vaccine, even if you have had COVID-19. There is not enough information currently available to say if or for how long after infection someone is protected from getting COVID-19 again; this is called natural immunity. Early evidence suggests natural immunity from COVID-19 may not last very long, but more studies are needed to better understand this.
Do I need to keep wearing a mask after I get vaccinated?,
Yes. Michiganders should continue to wear masks, social distance from those not in their household and wash their hands, even after receiving vaccine. More information is available on the CDC website in their FAQ document.
Where can I find more information?,
Additional resources:
For more information:
How can I help / volunteer?,
If you are interested in volunteering at one of our vaccination clinics in either a medical or non-medical role, please apply to become a member of our Medical Reserve Corps.
Apply here: https://livingston.applicantpool.com/jobs/154244.html
How can I get an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine?,
Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form to request a vaccination appointment. If you cannot complete the form online, call us at 517-546-9850 for assistance. Please reserve phone lines for those who cannot access online resources.
No further action is required to request an appointment. Individuals who completed the COVID-19 Vaccination Interest Form will be sorted by priority group and randomly selected to schedule appointments as vaccine supplies become available. Please be patient. Supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine at the local level are extremely limited and it may take weeks to months to move through the phases, depending on vaccine supplies.
If you have other questions or concerns, e-mail COVID19@livgov.com and we will respond as soon as we can.
Where will vaccination clinics be located? ,
Locations for vaccine distribution are determined prior to a clinic being scheduled. Locations are chosen based on the population being served and the amount of vaccine being provided during the clinic. Location information is not released until a clinic is scheduled and opened for registration.