LANSING - Although the Ingham County Health Department (ICHD), Sparrow Health System and McLaren Greater Lansing are offering vaccinations to eligible residents in Ingham County, according to a press release today, ICHD is encouraging residents who are currently waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine to register at multiple providers, like Rite Aid and Meijer.

Many people are waiting for their turn to get the vaccine, and with roughly 70,000 people currently registered for the vaccine with ICHD, only about 3,000 new patients are able to get vaccinated each week due to supply. Among those waiting to be vaccinated are approximately 18,000 seniors age 65 and up.

“Unless supply drastically increases, the reality is that it will likely be April or May before everyone who is registered and eligible as of today is vaccinated,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail.

Since COVID-19 vaccination began in Dec., ICHD has administered 26,467 doses of the vaccine and according to the press release, as of today, 17,148 Ingham County seniors have received at least one dose of the two-dose series.

“Unfortunately, current vaccine supply falls far short of demand,” Vail said. “I am sympathetic to everyone who is waiting and know it can be frustrating. I continue to advocate for more vaccine for our community and hope we will start to see increases in supply soon. If supply increases, we will update our estimates for when different groups will be vaccinated.”

To get vaccinated through ICHD, residents must complete a registration form available on the health department’s website. Residents who have multiple appointments scheduled are strongly encouraged to cancel unwanted appointments and should be aware that both doses of the two-dose vaccine must come from the same provider.

When a person’s vaccination priority group is eligible and supply allows, the person will receive a link to schedule an appointment via email. People with greater vulnerability due to age or exposure have been prioritized.