More kids across the country have been sick with COVID than ever before. But, oddly, fewer eligible kids are being vaccinated in Berrien County. The County Health Department isn’t trying to figure it out–they just want to change the situation and get kids protected with the vaccine! Toward that end, the BCHD released an update today:
With record COVID-19 hospitalizations across the community, including among children, the Berrien County Health Department is reminding residents that vaccines are critical to significantly reducing the severity of symptoms and preventing hospitalizations.
With only 17% of Berrien County children ages 5-11 partially vaccinated and visits to vaccination clinics waning, the BCHD is urging residents to get vaccinated and boosted.
“Getting a vaccination or booster against COVID-19 has proven to be safe, effective and the best way to prevent serious illness or death,” Acting Health Officer Guy Miller said. “We encourage all Berrien County residents who are eligible to get vaccinated or boosted.”
Since the start of the year, BCHD’s vaccination clinics have seen a significant drop in visitors, going from more than 350 a day at its adult clinic to now only around 50 and from 70 children a day to now only about a dozen.
Through its weekly vaccine clinics for adults and bimonthly clinics for children at its Benton Harbor and Niles offices, BCHD is committed to making it free and easy for residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Unlike other vaccination sites, BCHD does not collect health insurance information or bill for the doses.
The adult clinic for ages 12 and older takes place every Tuesday in Benton Harbor and every Thursday in Niles. The children’s clinic for ages 5 to 11 is the first and third Wednesday of the month in Benton Harbor and the second and fourth Wednesday of the month in Niles.
The adult clinics are walk-in and run 3-6 p.m. at BCHD’s Benton Harbor office, 2149 E. Napier Ave., and 4-6 p.m. at its Niles office, 1205 Front St. The children’s clinics are appointment-only and run 3-6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit bchdmi.org/covid19.
The adult clinics offer all three COVID-19 vaccines – Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer – as well as booster shots for individuals 16 and older. Individuals are eligible for the Pfizer booster six months after they complete the primary two-dose vaccine series. It is recommended teens who received the Pfizer vaccine series stay consistent and receive the Pfizer booster. Individuals 18 and older may receive any U.S.-approved booster.
BCHD also partners with InterCare Community Health Network and Spectrum Health Lakeland to provide vaccine clinics at convenient locations throughout Berrien County.
InterCare’s Benton Harbor is available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 800 M-139 and its Eau Claire clinic is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at 6270 W. Main St. Both clinics are available without an appointment for anyone 12 years and older. For more information, call 855.869.6900.
For more information about Spectrum Health Lakeland’s walk-in and by-appointment clinics, visit spectrumhealthlakeland.org/covid19.
