INGHAM COUNTY - According to a press release, people who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine may now connect with the Ingham Community Health Centers to be vaccinated. They do not need to be established patients to receive the vaccine through the health centers.

The Ingham Community Health Centers is a network of federally qualified health centers that are part of the Ingham County Health Department. However, vaccine registration and appointments for the health centers and the department are separate.

Those currently eligible for the vaccine include people age 65 and up, and people age 50-64 who have health conditions. All people age 50 and up are eligible starting March 22.

To be vaccinated through the health centers, patients should call one of three locations:

Forest Community Health Center at 517.887.4302

Birch Community Health Center at 517.244.8030, or

New Hope Community Health Center at 517.887.4400.

“We are delighted that our health centers can now offer the vaccine to the community at large,” Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail said. “By making the vaccine more widely available we will move toward community immunity, and ultimately, the end of this pandemic.”

The press release said the health centers are offering the two-dose Moderna vaccine, and appointments may be drive-through or walk-in depending on patient preference and location.

“The Ingham Community Health Centers’ top priority is meeting the evolving health care needs of the most vulnerable populations in Ingham County,” Executive Director/Deputy Health Officer Kris Drake said. “We are honored to do our part in making the vaccine available to the community we serve.”

To make an appointment, patients will need to have photo identification and their insurance card available. The press release said there is no out-of-pocket cost to be vaccinated.

Forest Community Health Center will vaccinate patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:00 am - 4:20 pm.

Birch Community Health Center will vaccinate patients on Mondays, 8:00 am - 11:30 am.

New Hope Community Health Center will vaccinate patients on Fridays, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm. All vaccinations are by appointment only.