Mt. Clemens, MI - Last week, the Macomb County Health Department announced a new location for residents aged 65 and older to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Created in partnership with SMART and Richmond/Lenox EMS, the program was initially intended as a solution for seniors who rely on bus services due to a variety of transportation barriers.
This week, the partnership is pleased to announce that it will expand the program to any resident aged 65 or above, especially those with mobility or transportation issues. SMART will assist in fielding calls and registering seniors on a wait list, which the county will use to set up appointments when vaccines are available. SMART will also make transportation arrangements for those that request assistance.
Interested seniors should call the SMART Macomb Vaccine Hotline at 586-421-6579 to register for the county wait list. SMART representatives will be available to take calls between the hours of 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sundays.
Seniors or someone they know can avoid the call altogether by emailing the SMART Macomb Vaccine Hotline 24/7 at
SMART will maintain a wait list, and the county will contact individuals from the list as appointments at Richmond/Lenox EMS or other community sites become available. Richmond/Lenox is being overwhelmed by calls and is not able to make appointments or add names to the wait list.
“Across the region, SMART has worked throughout the pandemic to be there for those who count on us most, especially essential workers and senior citizens,” said Robert Cramer, Deputy General Manager of SMART. “This partnership helps clear two barriers: getting seniors registered on a county vaccine wait list and ensuring they have the transportation they need when their appointment is set.”
Once the county calls interested seniors to schedule the vaccination, the vaccine will be administered by trained medical professionals. The county will continue work to make vaccination sites available in local communities as vaccine supplies increase, and community-based sites, including Richmond/Lenox EMS, may expand eligibility as vaccine scarcity diminishes.
“We remain committed to expanding access to the COVID vaccine for senior citizens across Macomb County," said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “Our partnership with SMART and RLEMS allows us to aid those most vulnerable in our community and illustrates our collective potential to get the vaccine to those that need it most.”
Seniors are also encouraged to register for an appointment through other Macomb County COVID-19 locations:
- In partnership with MCHD, Meijer Pharmacy is registering all individuals and is systematically contacting those who are currently eligible to make an appointment at one of several Macomb County stores. To register, individuals can text COVID to 75049, go online at clinic.meijer.com or simply visit their local pharmacy and ask to register.
- Rite Aid Pharmacy is also registering individuals who are aged 65 and above and will systematically contact those who are currently eligible based on availability of the vaccine. To register for an appointment, go to https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier
About the Macomb County Health Department
In partnership with the communities we serve, the mission of the Macomb County Health Department is to protect the health and well-being of all who live, work, and play in Macomb County. We pursue our mission by providing a wide range of programs and services that are delivered by Environmental Health Services, Family Health Services, Community Health Planning and Promotion, and our Disease Prevention and Control program. For more information, visit: https://health.macombgov.org/Health-Home.