Lapeer County launches online form, but available slots filled within hours
TRI-CITY AREA — Access to vaccine supplies continue to hamper Lapeer and St. Clair counties’ efforts to get residents immunized.
Last week, the St. Clair County Health Dept. reported that they would be receiving fewer doses than anticipated this week and had to adjust their appointment scheduling. Just 20 minutes after making that announcement, the limited number of appointments for individuals 65 and older were filled.
In Lapeer County, the health department began registering eligible residents online for vaccine appointments Tuesday morning but the slots were filled before noon.
Individuals are asked to visit www.lapeercountyweb.org where they can access a screening form to fill out. The link to the form is only active when appointments are available.
A limited number of vaccine appointments with the Lapeer County Health Dept. were filled Tuesday morning, only hours after the online scheduler was launched.
“You will then receive a confirmation email that it was received. Once we schedule your appointment, a follow-up email with an appointment time will be sent based on the Phase that you fall under,” Director Kathy Haskins said.
Dr. Annette Mercatante, St. Clair County’s Medical Health Officer, said their agency is only able to schedule appointments on a week to week basis.
“As vaccine supply increases, more clinics will be announced. We are working tirelessly to obtain vaccine, as well as planning partnerships to ensure greater access. When vaccine starts to come in larger allocations, we are ready and able to distribute rapidly. Please be patient,” she said.
Because of limited supplies, St. Clair County will be administering two-thirds of their supply to frontline healthcare workers and essential workers and the remaining third to those 65 years of age and older.
“Dependent on vaccine allocation and shipment, future vaccine clinic information will be posted on our website and social media every Friday afternoon,” the agency said in a press release.
Their website can be accessed at www.scchealth.co.
Both counties continue to ask residents to use online scheduling instead of calling. Those who don’t have online access are encouraged to get help from a family member, friend or neighbor.
Lapeer County has made one phone line available for residents without computer ccess—810-245-4163—but they also stress that website applications are the most efficient way to schedule an appointment.
Haskins said vaccination clinics may be held at the Health Department or at an offsite facility. That information will be provided at the time of an appointment confirmation.
“At this time we will have both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. You will receive the vaccine that is being administered the day of your appointment,” Haskins noted.
“At this time we cannot accommodate special requests for one vaccine over another.”
Currently, individuals in Phase 1 and Phase 1B are eligible to receive the vaccine. That includes paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings; residents in long term care facilities; persons 65 years of age or older and frontline essential workers in critical infrastructure.
