Multiple West Michigan Counties Vaccinating Age 16 and Up

Good news for some West Michigan residents who are to eager to be vaccinated. Several counties in West Michigan have opened up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those age 16 and over.

While preference will be given to those over 65, Wood TV 8 reports that residents 16 and up in Ionia, Branch, Hillsdale, St. Joseph, Newaygo, Oceana, and Mecosta counties are now eligible for the vaccine. In Van Buren and Cass Counties, residents 18 and up are now eligible.

This comes ahead of the State of Michigan opening up eligibility to all residents over 16 April 5.

Residents can sign up to be vaccinated on their county's health department's website:

• Ionia County Residents Vaccine Sign Up 
• Branch, Hillsdale, Saint Joseph County Residents Vaccine Sign Up
• Newaygo, Oceana, Mecosta County Residents Vaccine Sign Up
• Van Buren, Cass County Residents Vaccine Sign Up

Take note that for Newaygo, Ocean, and Mecosta residents, there is a notice on District Health Department No. 10's website stating while everyone over 16 is now eligible,

Individuals 18 and older can schedule online. Individuals aged 16 and 17 must have a parent or legal guardian enter you on our waitlist.

Ionia County Health Officer Ken Bowen tells Fox 17,

As cases in Michigan continue to trend upward, it’s important that as many people as possible get vaccinated. Get vaccinated as soon as you have the chance.

Over the weekend, nearly 5000 more COVID-19 cases were reported in Michigan, with six more deaths.

As of today (Wednesday March 25) the State of Michigan has reported 701,490 cases and 16,923 deaths.