After a historic worldwide effort, two vaccines are now approved to help stop the spread of COVID-19. That includes vaccines being available in Michigan’s Copper Country. Below is the available information in regards to that. This information has been gathered in conjunction with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and local healthcare agencies. It will be updated as much as possible.
Please have patience with this process. All public health and healthcare officials have been stretched thin through this pandemic, and they’re all working as hard as they can to get this vaccine into our community as swiftly and safely as possible.
If you know someone who does not have access to the internet, please instruct them that the can get all of this information by calling 2-1-1 from any phone. They can also use that number to be put on a waiting list for the vaccine.
Want to receive email updates on the vaccine’s availability locally? Subscribe to our twice-weekly email briefings.
Latest MDHHS Vaccine Updates
Below you will find updates from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services regarding vaccine distribution that have relevance to those in Michigan's Western Upper Peninsula.
May 20, 2021 - Governor Whitmer Accelerates 'MI Vacc to Normal' Plan to Move Michigan Forward Towards Normalcy. Read more.
May 14, 2021 - Gov. Whitmer Lifts Mask Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Michiganders. Read more.
May 12, 2021 - MDHHS Alerts Vaccine Providers about Recommendations on Pfizer Vaccine for Michiganders Ages 12 to 15. Read more.
May 10, 2021 - Gov. Whitmer Announces 55% of Michiganders Vaccinated, First Milestone of MI Vacc to Normal Plan Achieved. Read more.
April 23, 2021 - Michigan moving forward with administration of Johnson & Johnson vaccine based on FDA and CDC guidance following thorough safety review. Read more.
April 13, 2021 - Michigan temporarily pausing use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine based on FDA and CDC guidance
FDA and CDC are reviewing six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot. Read more.
April 8, 2021 - MDHHS Launches Vaccination Partnership with Universities and Colleges, Expands Mobile Vaccination Sites with Community Partners in Neighborhoods. Read more.
April 2, 2021 - Coverage of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for COVID-19 Vaccines, and Actions for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Providers During COVID-19. Read more (PDF).
March 3, 2021 - Michigan Expanding Access to Safe, Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Starting Monday. Read more.
March 2, 2021 - Michigan's food and agriculture workers encouraged to register to receive COVID-19 vaccine (Protect Michigan Commission). Read more.
February 15, 2021 - MDHHS announces new program starting March 1 to help enhance state's vaccine equity strategy; Health centers will receive safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine this week. Read more.
February 12, 2021 - MDHHS campaign emphasizes the need for mask-wearing even after receiving safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.
January 6, 2021 - Michiganders over age 65, some frontline essential workers can receive safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine as of Monday, January 11, 2021. Read more.
See all Michigan COVID-19 press releases and subscribe to have them emailed to you here.
What Vaccine is Available?
Pfizer, Modern and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available locally, but not available at all sites. Scroll down to "How Do I get the Vaccine" to see what vaccine is available at each vaccination location.
Why should I get the vaccine?
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. And if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you.
Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Stopping the pandemic requires using all the tools we have available.
If you have any questions about the vaccine, we suggest visiting michigan.gov/covidvaccine.
Note: Even after receiving the vaccine you should continue to follow basic safety tips such as social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing a mask.
How do I get the vaccine?
There are several options available. Below they are outlined by county. Please note that vaccine supplies are limited and all providers are extremely busy trying to get this out to as many people as possible. This will be updated as often as possible.
Aspirus Ironwood, Keweenaw, & Ontonagon
- Request vaccine here.
- Call Ironwood Hospital: 1 (906) 932-2525.
- Call Laurium Hospital: 1 (906) 337-6560.
- Call Ontonagon Hospital: 1 (906) 884-8000.
Baraga County Memorial Hospital
Call the dedicated hotline and leave a message. They will call you back.
- Call: 1 (906) 524-3471.
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Donald A. LaPointe Health & Education Center
Vaccine clinics are held every Tuesday. An appointment is needed
Lac Vieux Desert Health Center
They are taking online reservations and getting people in as quickly as possible.
Snyders Calumet
Starting the first week in April, Snyders will have Moderna available. Appointments must be made online, but those interested can call with questions.
- Call (906) 356-3610 with questions.
- Register for a shot at https://www.covidshotsnyders.com/.
UP Health System-Portage
They are now offering the COVID-19 vaccination at the Apothecary Pharmacy at the UP Health System – Portage hospital campus in Hancock. To inquire about receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, call the Apothecary directly at (906) 483-1919 and choose option 0 to speak directly to a staff member during business hours. Appointments are preferred, but not required. For more information, visit portagehealth.org/covid-19-information/schedule-a-covid-19-vaccine.
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Centers
- Make a request in your patient portal.
- Call: 1 (906) 483-1060.
Veterans Affairs Clinics
The VA clinics in our region are helping enrolled veterans to get them the vaccine as soon as possible.
Walgreens (Houghton)
Currently have the Pfizer vaccine and are accepting appointments. Appointments are sporadically available.
Walgreens (Ironwood)
Currently have the Pfizer vaccine and are accepting appointments. Appointments are sporadically available.
Walmart (Houghton)
Currently have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and are accepting appointments through their online tool only. Appointments are sporadically available. Do not call.
Walmart (Ironwood)
Currently have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and are accepting appointments through their online tool only. Appointments are sporadically available. Do not call.
Western U.P. Health Department
These are currently administered in Bessemer, Hancock and Ontonagon. Appointments will be made available as soon as vaccine supply is made available. Currently the health department has Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine regularly available. Check back often.
- Add yourself to the waitlist.
- If unable to use the website, call 1 (906) 482-7382.
Other Area Pharmacies
Some pharmacies across the state are offering the vaccine. Walgreens (Houghton & Ironwood) and Snyders (Calumet) are now scheduling appointments. Their information is above. Below is the updates locally from a volunteer call to each location. The last call was Tuesday, March 30, 2021. If you have updates to make to this list, email coppercountrystrong@gmail.com or call (906) 232-3990.
- Harbortown Pharmacy (Ontonagon) - will not be distributing at all
- Wakefield Pharmacy - Will not be distributing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive updates on the vaccine's availability locally?
Yes. Sign up for email alerts here. We will send emails out every Monday and Thursday with the latest information related to Coronavirus in the Western U.P. In addition, we will send alerts from time-to-time with status changes or when new appointments open up. With that said, your best bet to get the vaccine as soon as possible is to contact your local healthcare provider using the information above.
Can I request the vaccine from multiple places?
Yes. However, please note that you are taking a spot from someone else if you are on multiple organization's waiting lists. This is OK to do, but if you are able to schedule a vaccine, we urge you to call and remove yourself from other lists.
After I receive the vaccine, do I still need to wear a mask and social distance?
Yes. To stop the spread, it's important you still follow all of the safety precautions that have been put in place.
Additional answers to frequently asked questions are available at michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.
Contact the Health Department
If you have additional questions, please contact the Western UP Health Department. Their contact information can be found here.