(WWJ) The city of Detroit is lowering the age to get the COVID-19 vaccine to 65, and now offering it to all workers in any kind of health care setting.
Despite gripes about the rollout and not enough doses nationwide, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan struck an optimistic tone when announcing these changes on Thursday.
He said the city has been promises 15,000 vaccines a week from the state and federal governments; nearly triple the previous supply.
"The TCF Center operations has promised us that when we move from 5,000 vaccinations this week, to 15,000 next week, it is going to run without a problem," Duggan said, at a news conference.
"Certainly the feedback that I've been getting from everybody that's who's been through the center has been phenomenal. The speed, the friendliness," he added. "It is a place of joy."
Duggan said they are also extending the hours of the call center to set up appointments, and taking bids to provide free transportation to the vaccination center.
He said those who work at dentist's or even veterinary offices will now qualify.
"Anybody who is working in health care, who lives or works in Detroit, you can now call the number, and you can get an appointment, too," Duggan said. "So, I know there were folks in the health care field who felt that it was unfair that those in the hospitals got it first, and they work face to face with patients, and they couldn't get it." (Get more details on who is eligible, here).
How to schedule an appointment
Eligible residents can call 313-230-0505 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday to make an appointment. As of yesterday, the average wait time for callers who made it through the initial prompts to determine their eligibility was about 15 minutes. Detailed information on the TCF testing site is available at www.detroitmi.gov.
As additional independent vaccination sites at pharmacies and elsewhere come online in the city, a map of locations will be added to the website.
Scheduling details
Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only. Workers and residents will not be vaccinated without having first made an appointment. Individuals calling the scheduling number at 313-230-0505.
Senior Citizens scheduling appointments will be required to provide their name, residence address and age. For greater efficiency and convenience, the city is recommending that when possible, eligible members of the same family or neighbors schedule jointly and arrive in the same vehicle. Group B essential workers will be required to provide the name of their employer and their most recent pay stub to verify their eligibility.
Get complete information on COVID-19 in Detroit, including about vaccinations and testing, at this link.