The Beaumont website is blocked due to demand for COVID-19 vaccine

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Michigan officials said adults over age 65 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, Jan. 11.

For now, people will need to have an online appointment to get a vaccine. There will be no tours.

Beaumont Health sent 900,000 emails to seniors already enrolled in myBeaumontChart on Thursday night, notifying them that appointments were available. Many people responded and caused a system crash.

TO READ: Vaccines: how to find appointments, information on phases

“We’re happy to be able to move this forward, but I want people to have patience,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer of Michigan. “It’s not like a flu shot. You can’t go to a facility or call and ask for a vaccine. “

When the system is fixed, it may not be possible to book an appointment weeks in advance. Each hospital system or health department will depend on the amount of doses the federal government and state apply weekly, meaning you will likely need several online attempts to get an appointment.

At Beaumont Health, once the appointment is secured, you will be directed to the hospital’s Southfield service center. Below you will see 12 check-in counters that will send you to one of the 24 vaccination stations. After receiving the vaccine, you will go to an observation area for 15 minutes and then ask for a follow-up appointment for a second dose.

“The flow is very fast, but that’s why we emphasize that you need to have an appointment. We don’t want people to be in line, “Dr. Jeffrey Fischgrund told Beaumont Health.” We’ve found that this is the safest way to vaccinate as many people at once. “

Phone appointments could be possible in the future.

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