Transportation added to ‘Save Your Spot’
County, SMART partner to offer rides to and from vaccination sites
Oakland County and SMART are partnering to increase access to transportation for county residents needing to get to and from their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
A transportation option has been incorporated into the county’s “Save Your Spot” vaccine waitlist, allowing resident to check a box indicating that they need a ride to their appointment. Once residents receive their vaccine appointment invitation from the county, they will then be able to call 1-(800)-848-5533 to schedule transportation to and from their nearest clinic.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter said as the county continues to expand vaccine eligibility to even more residents, he wants to make sure that “transportation does not stand in the way of access to one of our clinics throughout the county.”
“We appreciate SMART’s partnership at this critical time,” he said.
The SMART VAX Ride program uses a multi-pronged approach, leveraging services, part
ners, and federal funding to adapt to the expanding vaccination programs being offered throughout the region. The program is helping to ensure that transportation is not a barrier to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As eligibility, doses, and sites continue to expand and grow, it becomes even more important to coordinate SMART’s services with those providing vaccines, as vaccines are a critical step in our region’s road to recovery,” said Robert Cramer, SMART deputy general manager “Our partnership will help automatically connect those who need it with a safe, free ride to and from a vaccine.”
This week, the health division received 30,690 doses of vaccine from the state of Michigan, an increase of 4,290 doses from the week prior. To administer those vaccines, public health staff will be working 18 clinics in this week in Holly, Madison Heights, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester, Southfield, Waterford and West Bloomfield.
Also this week, Ready Nursing Solutions, one of the county’s vaccine providers, will be administering vaccine doses at seven long-term care centers. The county also is redistributing vaccine to another 37 providers this week.
Beginning Monday, April 5, all Michiganders ages 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You can find your nearest vaccine provider, and make an appointment, visit www.vaccinefinder.org.
Local health departments, hospitals, and pharmacies including Meijer, CVS, Rite Aid and Kroger are administering the COVID-19 vaccine right now across Michigan. County residents can register to receive a vaccine appointment by visiting OaklandCountyVaccine.com.