Spectrum Health Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Spectrum Health announced Monday that they are launching vaccination clinics, by appointment only, in Grand Rapids, Greenville, Hastings, and Zeeland in response to Michigan moving to Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccination process.  The new phase opens up eligibility to more people including those over the age of 65, as well as teachers and childcare workers.

Darryl Elmouchi, MD, President, Spectrum Health West Michigan said in a news release,

“The vaccine is a significant step forward in moving beyond the pandemic and ending the suffering and death so many have experienced because of COVID-19. We are honored to be helping to distribute the vaccine in collaboration with area health departments and community partners. We are seeing overwhelming demand for the vaccine and ask for the community’s patience as we work as quickly as possible to schedule appointments and set up additional clinics. We understand that the vaccine represents hope for better days ahead, and a sense of normalcy for our lives and the economy.”

This week, the news release says that Spectrum health is planning to provide over 21,000 vaccinations to the public and those that are still part of the Phase 1A rollout which includes those that the health system has been asked to vaccinate, “including independent doctors, dentists, and their staff.”

The vaccination process is an appointment-only situation as heath providers struggle to keep a steady supply of vaccinations rolling in. As Spectrum receives vaccine doses, they’ll schedule appointments out through the website spectrumhealth.org/vaccine or you can download the Spectrum Health App which is another way to schedule a vaccination appointment.

Hospital officials also say that as more doses of the vaccine become available, they’ll also be looking at opening other clinic locations around the region, including a push to make sure they’re serving under-represented communities to make sure that the vaccine is readily accessible to as many people as possible.