Ways to get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Kalamazoo area
Credit: David Kutzko
Loy Norrix senior Katie Kutzko gets her second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the Kalamzoo County Expo Center.
May 4, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to all U.S. citizens ages 12 and above. The vaccine is free and there are three different varieties available. The Moderna COVID vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID vaccine are only available for people ages 18 and older. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine is available for 16 and 17 year olds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that if you have already had COVID-19 you can still get a vaccine.
There are multiple ways to get the COVID vaccine in Kalamazoo, including through KPS clinics, local pharmacies, the local government and Bronson hospital. If you are unsure where to go for the vaccine, you can check the CDC’s Vaccine Finder.
KPS
The Kalamazoo Public Schools district signed up a vaccination clinic for students to receive the 1st dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine on Wednesday, May 5. Minors must fill out a consent form beforehand or arrive with their legal parent or guardian. KPS recommends students signing up with their school email rather than a personal one. This clinic is only available for KPS students over the age of 16, the link has been shared with them in their school email.
Meijer Pharmacy
Walk-in appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine are available at local pharmacies, such as Meijer. They have limited doses, however, so calling the pharmacy beforehand or submitting a request online might be more reliable. You can also register to receive updates about when Meijer will have vaccines available by texting “COVID” to 75049.
Kalamazoo County Government
The Kalamazoo County Government is also providing COVID-19 vaccines, but they’re by appointment only. Minors will either need to complete a registration form beforehand with their parent or guardian’s signature or have a parent or guardian present with them at the vaccination site to approve. The availability of the vaccine is very high and you can schedule an appointment on the Kalamazoo County website. It’s also possible to call 269-373-5200 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.
Bronson
Bronson is also distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. The easiest way to sign up is through their Bronson MyChart website. However, this method is based more on when Bronson has the vaccine and can get people in instead of signing up for a time yourself. Minors will need a consent form for their appointment. If you cannot use MyChart or you are under 18, you will have to call to schedule an appointment with Bronson at (269) 220-3970 on Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
