(WWJ) Michigan is greatly expanding the list of who's eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines in the state, beginning later this month.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced the following on Friday:
Starting Monday, March 22: Michiganders ages 16 and older with disabilities or medical conditions that put them at high risk of a negative COVID-19 outcome will become vaccine-eligible beginning Monday, March 22.
Starting Monday, April 5: All Michiganders age 16 and up who were not previously eligible will be eligible to receive a vaccine.
"The safe COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way to protect you, your family and others from the virus,” said Whitmer, in a statement. “It will help the country get back to normal and help the economy. Nearly one million Michiganders of all races have already been safely vaccinated. I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. It is essential to getting our country back to normal, so that we can all hug our families, get back to work, go to restaurants, send our kids to school, play sports and get together again. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing and avoid large indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person. We will eliminate this virus together.”
These changes, however, do not mean that everyone who wants a dose will be able to get one right away, as supplies remain limited.
There may be waitlist for available appointments for some time, but — as more vaccine becomes available — officials say the state will continue to move more quickly through the priority groups.
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How and where can you get the vaccine when it's your turn?:
- Check with your doctor and/or health system (eg: Beaumont or Henry Ford)
Check the website of the local health department to find out their process or for registration forms; and/or
- Check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies like Meijer, Rite Aid or Cardinal Health (U.P. residents); and/or
- Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or can call 2-1-1.
MDHHS said with the expanded vaccine eligibility, providers are still encouraged to schedule appointments and allocate vaccinations to residents based on highest risk, including older residents, essential workers and frontline workers.
“Over 2.7 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we are well on our way to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders age 16 and up,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We are pleased to lay out our plan for when every Michigander age 16 and up will be able to get a vaccine. We will continue to focus our efforts on removing barriers to access for our most vulnerable to exposure and those at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. These vaccines are the way we are going to end this pandemic and I urge Michiganders to make a plan to get your vaccine when you are eligible.”
This is in addition to a recent announcement that MDHHS was moving forward with vaccination of Michiganders age 50 and older with medical conditions or disabilities and caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs as of Monday, March 8. Also beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility is expanding to include all Michiganders 50 and older.
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The most recent vaccine prioritization guidelines can be found on Michigan’s COVID-19 website.
Even with the increase of COVID-19 vaccinations, Khaldun urges everyone to continue to practice preventative measures such as properly wearing masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of the virus until the vast majority of people have been vaccinated.
Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.