(WWJ) Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive to state departments and agencies to “move as quickly as possible” to administer an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to “vulnerable” people in congregate settings.
She also urged all eligible Michiganders—which includes people who are immunocompromised for a variety of reasons—to get a booster.
The recommendation does not apply to the general population.
This comes as the CDC advisory committee on Immunization Practices approved a third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for people 12 and older with compromised immune systems. A booster was not approved for those who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
While the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is still working to provide guidance to vaccine providers, those who are eligible may include individuals who have had a stem cell or organ transplant, advanced or untreated HIV, undergoing cancer treatment or taking high dose corticosteroids.
Healthcare providers will determine who is at risk and who should receive an additional dose. Michigan has plenty of doses available to give boosters to eligible individuals, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The doses will be available beginning Saturday (tomorrow), according to the release.
The MDDHS is in the process of communicating with nursing homes and long-term care facilities to provide a third dose for residents. A plan has been activated to provide boosters in congregate settings including: long-term care facilities, skilled nursing and adult foster care facilities, Michigan state hospitals and state prisons.
“I urge anyone who is immunocompromised and meets the eligibility criteria to get an additional dose. And I continue to encourage anyone who is eligible and has not been vaccinated yet to do so to protect themselves, their families and their communities," Michigan's Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said in a release.
If you are eligible for a booster and have received either Pfizer or Moderna, health officials said you should try to receive your booster from the same manufacturer if it’s available. However, if it’s not available, you may receive a vaccine from the other manufacturer.
You should wait at least 28 days since your second dose of the vaccine before receiving your booster, according to MDHHS.
Vaccination records will be updated to record the third dose. You do not need to provide a vaccine card to receive your booster.
People who are immunocompromised can reach out to their physician, local health department, or pharmacy for the additional dose.
COVID-19 vaccine locations can be found at Vaccines.gov.
Quick bullet points:
Am I eligible?
-People who are immunocompromised including those:
-Undergoing active cancer treatment
-Received a stem cell or organ transplant
-With advanced or untreated HIV
-On high dose corticosteroids
-People living in congregate settings including nursing homes, adult foster care and skilled nursing facilities, state prisons, state hospitals, etc.
Healthcare providers will help determine if a person is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine
You must have received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. A booster is not approved for the J&J vaccine.
Who is NOT eligible:
Anyone not listed above. A booster is NOT recommended for the general population.
How long should I wait?
At least 28 days between your second and third dose.
Where do I get it?
-Talk to your:
-Doctor
-Pharmacy
-Local health department
Does it matter which one I get?
The health department said you should make an attempt to receive your booster from the same manufacturer as your first two doses—if it’s available. For example, if you were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, you should try to get your booster from Pfizer.
However, if it’s not available, health officials said you could receive your vaccine from the other manufacturer.
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