Beginning (today) Monday, January 25th DeVos Place convention center will serve as a central COVID-19 vaccination location called the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place. It’s a collaboration between the Kent County Health Department, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health.
“A key part of this new clinic is that we can truly scale it to give thousands of vaccines a day to community members.”
Dr. Darryl Elmouchi is President, Spectrum Health West Michigan. He explains that currently vaccine supply is limited. However, the distribution is increasing.
“And our goal would be to provide up to 20,000 vaccinations per day at the new clinic,” said Elmouchi.
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place has ample underground parking, is located on bus routes and accessible off U.S. Route 131 and Interstate 196.
Dr. Hyung Kim is President, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s explains staffing is critical.
“Our working together means that for some reason on a given day, there’s a certain type of staff at a level one organization cannot provide, then the others will be able to step in," says Kim. "So, that’s just an example of how, you know, working together on an undertaking of this size is critical. It’s classic synergy.”
Who pays for the clinic?
“The cost is going to be significant. The cost of not doing it is also extraordinary.”
Dr. Adam London is Director of the Kent County Health Department. He says the expenses will be shared.
“The county has acquired the lease for that property and we do have some assurances from state and federal officials that they are going to do what they can to fund this,” London said.
Everyone involved agrees this is the solution to vaccinating the population as quickly as possible.
Vaccines are being administered by appointment only. For more information log on at WMVaccineClinic.org.