LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- More than half of all eligible Michiganders have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.
The governor’s office says Michigan is set to surpass the 7-million vaccine mark on Monday, as 1 in 2 Michiganders ages 16 and up will have received a shot.
To date, roughly 38% of eligible Michiganders are fully vaccinated, including 2 in 3 seniors, according to Whitmer, as the state’s vaccine rollout continues to speed up.
“We administered six million doses in just over four months. As we get closer to achieving our goal of equitable vaccinating 70% of Michiganders 16 and up, we have to remember that we are still in this fight against the virus,” Whitmer said in a statement Monday.
Whitmer’s administration announced last week a plan to peel back pandemic restrictions as more and more Michiganders receive the vaccine.
As part of the “MI Vacc to Normal Challenge,” 14 days after Michigan hits the 55% threshold of eligible residents vaccinated, the state’s requirement for employers to require remote work when feasible will be lifted.
Once that number hits 60%, plus 14 days, a number of restrictions will be rolled back, including increasing capacity at indoor sports stadiums, conference centers, banquet halls and funeral homes to 25%, increasing capacity at gyms and exercise facilities to 50% and lifting the curfew on bars and restaurants.
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But Whitmer says Michiganders must remain vigilant in fighting the virus.
“Our case count and hospitalization rates are a reminder that we must continue following basic public health protocols we know work: masks, social distancing and hand washing,” Whitmer said. “The way to put this pandemic behind us, however, is to get vaccinated. The vaccine is the most effective way to protect you, your family and your community and get us back to normal sooner.”
“Together, we will emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever and celebrate summer together with friends and family. We will become the state that beats this damn virus,” she said.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist says Michigan is ahead of schedule when it comes to reaching the state’s goal of vaccinating at least 70% of eligible Michiganders.
“But as we get closer to achieving our goal, we have to remember that we are still in this fight against the virus,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “We can end this virus on our terms by ensuring that everyone eligible to receive a vaccine gets one.”
Officials are ensuring the public that the vaccine is safee.
“From smallpox to polio and now COVID, vaccines have a long history of hope and healing,” Gilchrist said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is our best shot to being free from this pandemic, and the quickest way for our lives to return to normal is for everyone to get vaccinated.”
Michigan’s latest numbers on Sunday showed a decreasing number of cases across the state for the second straight week. The state reported 3,400 new cases on Sunday and 171 deaths. The total of 25,000 new cases for all of last week was down by about 9,000 from the previous week.
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