Despite continued limited allocations of vaccine across northern Michigan, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department (BLDHD) announced yesterday that it has administered 1,800 COVID-19 vaccinations to residents since mid-December.

This tally represents the BLDHD-specific report card across its two-county jurisdiction; the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Leelanau County by person’s residence (this includes vaccines administered outside of the BLDHD clinics) is now at 2,248 as of Jan. 27.

Meanwhile, Benzie County has administered 1,915 total COVID-19 vaccines by person’s residence; Grand Traverse County has administered 15,563; and Antrim County has administered 1,859, all as of Jan. 27. Data by county can be tracked on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)'s COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard.

BLDHD Health Officer Lisa Peacock says the number of vaccine doses the health department administered this week was 204. Allocations prior to this week were based on the number of doses ordered by local health departments and hospitals, however the requests far exceeded available doses. Benzie and Leelanau’s supply of vaccine is now based on a population-based formula determined by the MDHHS.

Still, it is estimated that it will take until mid-summer to fully vaccinate all those in Leelanau and Benzie counties who are currently eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine — individuals over 65, health care workers, first responders, teachers and childcare workers.

The number of doses needed to fully vaccinate all those in Phase 1A and Phase 1B in the Benzie-Leelanau health jurisdiction is approximately 30,000 doses (this includes second doses), Rachel Pomeroy, public information officer and public health educator with the BLDHD shared in a statement this week.

The good news, says Peacock, “We have shown that we can safely and successfully vaccinate our community residents that have signed up through our COVID-19 registration survey.”

She adds, “Our biggest challenge is having enough supply of vaccine.”

“MDHHS also stated they have recognized the need for predictable allocations and therefore the allocations received this week will be [determined by] a formula based on population of eligible individuals and a risk factor determined by the CDC Social Vulnerability Index,” she says, adding, “We have not yet seen the data they are using for this calculation.”

(Of note, according to the 2019 census, in Leelanau, which has a total population of 21,761, 6,964 residents are 65+; Benzie’s total population is 17,766, with a 65+ population of 4,797.)

The health department continues to schedule appointments based on the amount of vaccine received each week. In addition, staffers follow the guideline of using 75 percent of allocated vaccine doses for individuals age 65 and over and 25 percent for individuals in Phase 1A and Phase 1B group B (essential workers). Peacock tells the Leelanau Ticker that the state finds out CDC allocations on Thursdays and MDHHS shares allocation with local health departments and hospitals typically on Fridays.  

The best way now for eligible residents to get in line for their vaccine is via the BLDHD online COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up Survey.

Pomeroy explains that this sign-up survey does not schedule an appointment, but rather puts your information on a list so that the BLDHD can contact you via email when appointments for your priority group are available. Those who have pre-registered will be contacted in the order they have signed up.

Peacock says the health department continues to receive questions from seniors and their families regarding the status of COVID-19 vaccine administration and options for signing up. Peacock stresses that it is possible for other family members, friends and neighbors to assist those who may not be tech-savvy with completing the COVID-19 Vaccine Sign-up Survey. In addition, those who may not have a computer or internet, may call the Senior Hotline at 231-715-5557. The hotline is receiving high call volumes, so callers are asked to keep trying.

New this week, Munson Healthcare has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to residents who are 80 years and older who live in their service area, which includes Benzie and Leelanau Counties. The hospital system is offering public vaccinations, with appointments now available to individuals age 80+ or to individuals age 65+ who live with a household member over 80. Munson Healthcare is setting appointments by phone seven days a week from 8am-4pm at 231-935-SHOT (7468). Pomeroy says call lines have been very busy, so please be patient. For more information, visit munsonhealthcare.org/covid19vaccine.  

Meanwhile, The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) is administering vaccine  to tribal members through its tribal health clinics. The tribe — which has its own public health department — has access to the vaccine through a separate path and process than the BLDHD.  Peacock adds “We keep in close touch as community partners and support each other’s efforts during the vaccination rollout and all other times as well.”  

GTB’s Health Administrator, Soumit Pendharker, shared in a release this week that as of Jan. 25, “we have vaccinated 15 percent of GTB Tribal members living in [our] 6-county service area [Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Charlevoix, Benzie, Manistee and Antrim] age 16 and over. We have vaccinated 40 percent of GTB Tribal Elders living in the 6-county service area.”

Pendharker asks tribal members to continue to call the GTB COVID-19 Vaccine Line at 231-534-7475.

So, with mid-July the estimated date for all those currently eligible Leelanau and Benzie residents to be vaccinated, what can those who are not in Phase 1A or 1B expect? President Joe Biden announced efforts Tuesday to ramp up distribution, but the current rate of supply means it could still take late into 2021 to achieve widescale community vaccination levels.

Everything is subject to change as more vaccine becomes available, says Peackock, but those not currently eligible “should visit our website where they can keep track of our data, sign up for email updates, find links to the MDHHS current phased vaccine eligibility and any updates to eligibility. We also post frequently on our Facebook page.”

Peacock adds, “We are currently in the process of reviewing and improving our communications plan.”

She also shares, “The pandemic is exhausting for everyone — we are faced with the heaviest lift of work to be done at a time when we are really, really tired. However, we know that vaccination is the clear path out of this difficult time and we also know that we can and will accomplish this goal. The enthusiasm of the community surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine is refreshing and encouraging. When that vaccine arrives, we are ready.”