West Michigan Vaccine Clinic Volunteers
I-196 Road Closure
Eastbound I-196 over the Grand River is currently closed, so there are increased traffic delays accessing the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic. Please allow for additional travel time and see alternative routes here.
About the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic
While the clinic has special capacity to provide 20,000 vaccinations, it has been limited by vaccine supplies. Monday, the clinic gave 12,532 first vaccine doses. The clinic operates by appointment only. More information about the clinic can be found at wmvaccineclinic.org.
Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health, in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan, have partnered to open the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids. This large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic will allow large numbers of people to be vaccinated as more vaccine becomes available.
The clinic will offer vaccines by appointment, only. Operations will scale up over time based on vaccine availability.
We need your help.
The size and scale of this operation mean volunteers are critical to the success of the clinic. By volunteering, you can help ensure that the vaccination process is well staffed, efficient and is a positive experience for everyone involved.
Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
Volunteers may be asked to perform various tasks including:
- Greeting/welcoming clinic attendees
- Providing directional guidance
- Answering questions
- Escorting those who may need help
- Sanitizing/organizing supplies
- Conducting temperature checks
- Observing those who have been vaccinated
- And more
Clinic Details
Eastbound I-196 over the Grand River is currently closed, so there are increased traffic delays accessing the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic. Please allow for additional travel time and see alternative routes here.
- DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids
- Park in the Louis Campau ramp at 43 Monroe Avenue NW. There are two entrances to the ramp: Enter from Monroe Avenue NW or Campau Avenue NW.
- Enter DeVos Place from the Employee Entrance on Monroe Avenue and report to the Volunteer Check-In Room, Ballroom A
Volunteer FAQs
Who is eligible to volunteer?
Anyone, age 18 and up, is able to volunteer as long as they register through Kent County Emergency Management and pass the background check.
What type of volunteer roles are available?
Volunteers may assist with greeting clinic attendees, providing directional assistance, escorting attendees who need help, sanitizing and organizing supplies, performing temperature checks and more. Volunteers need not have prior healthcare experience. Physical demands may include: Frequent standing, walking, reaching, pushing, sitting, forward bending, trunk rotation, light to moderate lifting and carrying. Accommodations will be made as needed.
Are volunteers paid or reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses including travel or parking?
No, however, parking will be validated. Non-paid volunteers are critical to the success of the clinic.
Where do volunteers park?
Will I be trained on my volunteer role?
Yes. All volunteers will receive safety, security and personal protective equipment information prior to arrival. At check-in, volunteers will receive more information about roles, responsibilities and other key information for the day.
What will volunteers need to wear?
Plan to wear casual/business casual. Jeans are acceptable, but please do not wear shorts. Comfortable, closed toe shoes are recommended. DeVos Place can be cold and dressing in layers is encouraged. Leave any valuables or large purses/bags at home.
Will volunteers need to wear a mask?
Yes. Masks are required. Homemade masks are acceptable. Gaiters and masks with valves are not acceptable. You’ll have the option to change to a medical grade mask to wear during your shift. All CDC safety guidelines regarding mask wearing and social distancing will be followed.
Do volunteers need to screen for COVID-19 symptoms before their shift?
Yes. All volunteers will be asked to complete the CDC Facilities COVID-19 screening within four hours before their shift. Proof of completion will be verified upon arrival.
How do I cancel my shift if I need to?
If you are not able to attend your shift, just log back into the schedule link and remove yourself from the schedule as soon as possible.
Will there be food available for volunteers?
Can I volunteer after traveling?
Domestic Travel Outside of Michigan:
Fully Vaccinated – Volunteers can work shifts without restriction. Fully vaccinated means you are 2 weeks post Johnson & Johnson vaccination or 2 weeks post your Pfizer or Moderna second dose.
Not Fully Vaccinated – If you recently used public transit (bus, plane or train) or took an out-of- state overnight trip with people outside of your household, you may volunteer but must wear a double mask for 10 days from the last date of travel (see double mask options below). If you do not double mask or wear an N-95, you will not be able to volunteer for 10 days.
International Travel:
All volunteers that have traveled internationally should wait 10 days from their last day of travel to work shifts.
Screening Questions:
Everyone should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms regardless of travel. Unvaccinated volunteers that have traveled domestically (outside of Michigan) should complete the CDC facility screener. When you reach the question asking if you have traveled in the past 10 days, show that you are wearing a double mask or an N-95 at shift check-in and then answer “no” to the question.
Double Masking Options:
- Wearing a disposable surgical mask underneath a multilayered cloth mask. The cloth mask should push the edges of the disposable mask against your face.
- An N-95 is an acceptable substitute for a double mask, however you should be properly fit tested before wearing a N-95 respirator.
- KN95s are not the equivalent of a N-95 and should not be used to double mask.
