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The effort to vaccinate the general public in the Copper Country against COVID-19 is officially underway. Aspirus began inoculations yesterday. UP Health System-Portage is set to begin this afternoon, with Baraga County Memorial Hospital scheduled to start on Thursday.
Vaccines through health care providers are being offered to those aged 65 and older. See the various hospitals’ websites for details about how to sign up. Appointments are required. No walk-in clinics are scheduled.
“Frontline essential workers” are also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those requests should be made through employers, who will work directly with the Western U.P. Health Department.
Healthcare workers, and residents and employees at long-term care facilities have already been offered the vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine does require two doses, which must be administered a specified number of days apart. Aspirus says patients will be observed for 15 to 30 minutes after receiving their vaccine and have their second dose scheduled during their visit.
As the vaccine rollout continues, officials are asking the public to be patient. Doses remain in short supply. The Western U.P. Health Department says that all of its available appointments for this week have been filled. Additional appointments will be offered as vaccine is received.
Officials also stress that those who make appointments must keep them. Missing an appointment could result in spoiled vaccine.
