WUPHD to expand vaccinations

HANCOCK — A stabilization of the COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and ramped up production schedules is expected to allow the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department to expand the eligibility criteria for those residents able to receive the vaccine.

“We are currently vaccinating people age 65 and older, those age 50 and older with underlying health conditions, and caregivers of children with special health care needs,” WUPHD Health Officer Kate Beer said in an announcement of the expansion. “Providers across the district are seeing their wait lists shrink. We are hopeful that we will be able to follow the state plan and begin vaccinating people age 50 and over beginning March 22, and those age 16 to 49 by April 5.”

The department has piloted a plan to use the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine for mobile vaccinations to those who have difficulty obtaining transportation or are homebound across the five counties the department serves.

The mobile effort is expected to take several weeks, with any remaining doses being given to the public after its completion, according to the WUPHD’s announcement, and additional doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not expected until late April.

The announcement recommends residents visit coppercountrystrong.com

/vaccine to locate a provider in their area.

Those without computer access can call 211 or their health care provider for help scheduling an appointment.

—Richard Jenkins