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Pierce Lake Elementary School Site of Ongoing Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

In collaboration with the Chelsea School District and St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital, the Washtenaw County Health Department operates COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Pierce Lake Elementary School.

By Crystal Hayduk

Chelsea residents Frank and Linda Dufek were thrilled to received their COVID-19 vaccines close to home at Pierce Lake Elementary School, the area’s newest mass clinic location, in what they said was a “well run, smooth process.”

That efficient experience is a result of logistics that began last fall—before vaccines had even received emergency use authorization—when Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) staff approached county school districts in search of vaccination clinic space.

Following an affirmative response from Chelsea School District (CSD) Superintendent Julie Helber, a representative from WCHD assessed the feasibility of Pierce Lake Elementary School. The building, which had been closed in 2010 to balance the budget under then-Superintendent David Killips and has been rented by Immanuel Bible Church since 2016, was deemed perfect for administering COVID-19 vaccines.

Helber said Tim Courtright, the district’s operations director, worked with the WCHD team to determine the best clinic flow and signage.

Scott Wooster, technology director, facilitated on-site technology and equipment. “We all met [at Pierce Lake] for the first administration of the vaccine to be sure everything was in order and WCHD completed the first day of vaccinations on March 9,” she said. “We are thrilled to be in a position to use Pierce Lake and to partner with WCHD to facilitate the vaccination process on the west side of the county.”

Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, WCHD public information officer, said the collaboration between the health department, CSD, and St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital should make it easier for those who live in western Washtenaw County to be vaccinated, although anyone who lives or works in the county may be served at the Pierce Lake site.

“There is a vaccine request process as we move through the eligibility phases,” she said. “The system will use home address to target location. Once people are contacted, they can choose a location. It’s a fragile balance to create accessibility for people who live nearby.”

Demand remains higher than supply, especially as new groups become eligible before previous groups are fully vaccinated. Ringler-Cerniglia said, “It’s like we’re flying the plane as we build it.”

Although more than 70 percent of people who are 65 and older have received at least one dose of the two-dose vaccine series, there were 10,000 new requests last week when eligibility expanded on March 8. The health department receives 5,000 to 8,000 doses each week, which means eligibility does not translate to immediate accessibility.

In addition to having vaccine and a place to administer it, operating a vaccine clinic requires a large staff. According to Ringler-Cerniglia, it takes at least 40 personnel to run the Pierce Lake clinic serving about 324 people a day, and nearly 100 to manage the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center clinic, which provides vaccine to about 1,100 people a day.

Given that only licensed professionals handle vaccine, they depend on a robust pool of volunteers to help manage other clinic operations, such as traffic control, registration, and a variety of other duties. “We’re also thankful for our National Guard when they are able to help at our clinics,” she said.

Ringler-Cerniglia said WCHD welcomes the public’s patience and understanding. “We are working tirelessly and doing everything humanly possible to get vaccine out. There are aspects of the vaccine rollout that we can’t control.”

Although widespread COVID-19 vaccination is the “best chance to move to normal,” Ringler-Cerniglia said people can wear face masks, socially distance, and follow quarantine and isolation guidelines to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the meantime. “Of course, frequent hand washing prevents the spread of many illnesses,” she said.

Kelicia Byrd, a health department nurse who was handling vaccine at the clinic on March 16, said it gives the nurses and other staff a good feeling to be able to provide vaccine services to the community.

“The best part is knowing we’re bringing hope to people,” she said. “The public is grateful and we appreciate their expressions of thanks.”

As the Dufeks rested in the observation area following their vaccinations, they shared their dreams for a future beyond the COVID-19 pandemic—a time for worshiping at church without masks, gathering with friends, and traveling. “We can hardly wait to hug our grandchildren and see our grandson play baseball,” said Linda.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Scheduling

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services frequently updates who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Prioritization guidance is available here: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_COVID-19_Vaccination_Prioritization_Guidance_2152021_716344_7.pdf.

Coming soon: All individuals aged 50+; and 16+ who have disabilities and/or medical conditions, as well as their caregiver family members and guardians, will be eligible beginning March 22. All people aged 16+ who weren’t previously eligible will be eligible beginning April 5.

To request a vaccine appointment through WCHD, visit http://bit.ly/wchdvaxindi. For those who do not have internet access, phone support is available by calling 734-544-6700.

Pierce Lake Elementary School is located at 275 North Freer Road, and is open by appointment only each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As vaccine supplies increase, WCHD plans to expand this offering.       

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