Coulter Says Oakland County Has Infrastructure to Distribute Vaccine, Just Needs More Doses

The county executive says he understands why so many people are frustrated as they try to get a vaccine appointment.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter says his county has all the infrastructure needed to get shots in arms for anyone who’s eligible and wants the vaccine — the county just needs more doses.

“It’s frustrating…We just don’t have enough doses to meet the incredible demand.” — Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter

Coulter’s county of 1.26 million residents received more total doses than any other county in the state in the early stages of the vaccine rollout. But Coulter says it’s still not nearly enough to meet demand. He says his county’s health department is getting about 7,000 doses per week.

He joins Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today to talk about the rollout in Oakland County and what he expects in the near future in terms of getting more shots in arms.


Listen: Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter talks about the vaccine rollout.


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Dave Coulter is Oakland County’s executive, a Democrat who won his first full term in office in the November election. He says he understands the frustration of residents who have not been able to get a vaccine even if they’re eligible. He says he’s also not satisfied with the pace of the rollout.

“It’s frustrating,” says Coulter. “We just don’t have enough doses to meet the incredible demand.” He says any expectations of being done with vaccines for those who want one by February or March probably never matched with the reality of the logistical challenges of the rollout.

“It’ll probably be closer to summer until everyone who wants it will have it,” he says.

Related: Wayne County Executive Warren Evans Criticizes Gov. Whitmer for Vaccine Distribution

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.