Are you looking for a COVID test or vaccine clinic in the Ann Arbor area? We are keeping a list of upcoming events that are open to the general public or large sub-groups.
With Omicron spreading rapidly in the post-holiday time frame and boosters now approved for ages 12-15, expect testing sites and booster clinics to be busy.
My daughter was identified as a close contact at school twice in November. Since she is fully vaccinated and had no symptoms, she is able to continue attending school and activities. If you are on the fence about vaccination, being able to maintain your normal routine may be a reason to push you towards vaccination. We did a follow-up PCR test at Walgreens after the second exposure.
Vaccinations
Booster Shots
Booster shots are currently available for ages 12+ and are recommended 5 months after your second Pfizer or Moderna shot. I believe they are recommended at 2 months after the Johnson & Johnson 1 shot vaccination. Boosters are typically the Pfizer or Moderna shot (only Pfizer for those under 18). Boosters were approved for ages 12-15 on January 5.
My husband and I got our booster shots in November and my daughter got hers on her 16th birthday – just before approval for 15yos..
Pediatric COVID Vaccines
Pediatric COVID vaccines are a lower dose for children ages 5-11. They were approved in early November 2021. They follow the same 2 shot sequence as Adolescent and Adult Pfizer with a 3 week interval.
Teen & Adult Vaccines
Adults 18+ are eligible for the Pfizer (2 shots, 3 weeks apart), Moderna (2 shots, 4 weeks apart), or Johnson & Johnson (1 shot) vaccine. Children age 12-15 and teens 16-17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine. They receive the same dosage on the same 3 week gap schedule.
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Where to Get Vaccinations
Washtenaw County Health Department
The Washtenaw County Health Department requires you to book appointments for their clinic. I found that most of their hours are during the school day. As of January 11, they have appointments available for several days in the next two week. However after school appointments are not available for 2 weeks.
Doctor’s Offices
I was able to book an appointment for my daughter’s COVID booster through her IHA pediatrician. They let me call before her birthday to book an appointment after her birthday. We ended up getting an earlier appointment and canceled this appointment.
Pharmacies
Ann Arbor Pharmacy, Saline Pharmacy, and Little Pharmacy (Milan) offer vaccine scheduling. My daughter got her booster at Ann Arbor Pharmacy. The process was quite easy and we were happier there than in a large pharmacy or big box store. As a bonus masks were required.
CVS – I got my first two doses at a standalone CVS and my booster at a CVS in Target. When trying to book my daughter’s booster, I could not make an appointment until she turned 16. A couple days before her birthday, I tried to make an appointment for after her birthday and was unable.
Other options are Walgreens, Meijer, Rite Aid, Kroger, Costco, and Sam’s Club. When I checked Sam’s Club in early January, they only had the Moderna vaccine which didn’t work for those under 18.
Ann Arbor Area Walk-In COVID Vaccine Clinics
We are currently only listing vaccine clinics, not regular hours at pharmacies and doctors offices.
Be sure to check each listing for age and other requirements. The clinics listed are all offering the Pfizer shots (either 5-11, 12+, or both) and possibly the Moderna and J&J shots. We are not listing clinics that do not have the Pfizer shot since they are for 18+.
Home Test Kits
Government & Insurance
Today I was able to order kits from USPS. They are providing 4 free tests to each household. These are the free tests that the government has promised.
Place your order here: https://special.usps.com/testkits
Insurance companies have to begin covering tests this week. Some insurance companies may be offering free pickup locations. I haven’t heard anything yet from our insurance.
Amazon
Disclosure: Links below may be affiliate links. Ann Arbor with Kids receives a commission on sales. We appreciate your support by shopping through our links.
We found a few tests on Amazon. They mostly ship a few weeks from now.
Retail Stores
Retail Stores can be hit or miss for finding them in store. I have had the best luck ordering the Binax Now test from Walmart or Sam’s Club. I’ve always been able to find them within the week.
When my daughter was getting her booster at Ann Arbor Pharmacy in early January, they had tests behind the counter they were distributing.
Ann Arbor Area Walk-In COVID Testing
There are multiple COVID testing options in the Ann Arbor area.
My husband has recently scheduled a PCR test as a Michigan Medicine employee. My daughter had a rapid test done at her IHA pediatrician’s office (they also offered the PCR test) in August and a PCR at Walgreens. I have had a rapid test done at Walgreens. My daughter has also used the Ellume home test, and we have all used the Binaxnow test before family gatherings. All of our tests were negative (a cold that was passed from our daughter to my husband to me, and screening test).
The testing sites below do not require a testing order. They will take insurance, and there may be a charge without it.
- Saliva Testing
Check for testing options at various pharmacies and urgent care sites. Some may have age restrictions or be prioritized to certain groups. The Washtenaw County Health Department lists some of these sites, but may not be up to date. For example, they list only the Walgreens on Jackson Rd in Ann Arbor, but we have also used a Walgreens on Washtenaw in Ypsilanti.
COVID Testing Events
Unlike spring, Ann Arbor Public Schools is not offering large testing events this school year and other testing options have been limited. If we learn of any large upcoming tests events, they will be listed below.
Mask Distributions
The latest recommendations are for N95 or KN95. Surgical and KF94 masks are also better choices than cloth masks.
Disclosure: Links below may be affiliate links. Ann Arbor with Kids receives a commission on sales. We appreciate your support by shopping through our links.
Mask distribution events are listed below. They tend to run out of supplies before the end time, so plan to arrive early.
