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Michigan Enters Phase 1B for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Iron Mountain VA Medical Center

Michigan is now in Phase 1B for COVID-19 vaccinations.

This means people 65 and older and essential frontline workers are eligible to get the vaccine.

For now, those in the latter group are being asked to go through their county Health Department.

Aspirus is helping vaccinate those in the 65 and older group.

Jessica Bessner is the Aspirus Regional Director of Pharmacy for the Upper Peninsula.

She says for right now the waitlist is open for people in live in Upper Peninsula Counties where an Aspirus Hospital or clinic is located.

“We understand we cross several counties, and we may cross a little bit of a state line in some of our bordering towns so we’re able to serve our patients if they seek care at our facilities, would be able to serve them but we don’t want this to be a county shopping type of a process,” Bessner.

If you fall into the age group and live in the Western U.P. you can call the Aspirus COVID hotline to get your name on the waiting list. That number is 844-568-0701. 

Bessner is hoping to vaccinate 100 to 200 people in each of its clinics this week and increase that number as they’re able.

She says the process to vaccinated everyone that falls in the Phase 1B group will likely take months.

“The logistics of this vaccine are unlike anything that we’ve ever seen in healthcare before,” said Bessner.

Bessner is asking for people’s patience in the process.

Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.
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