Michigan Expanding COVID-19 Vaccine Availability to People 50 and Over
Michigan residents who are 50 or over will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as Monday.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that anyone who is 50 or over and has an underlying health condition will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning on Monday, March 8. Those who are 50 and up without any underlying health conditions will become eligible for the vaccine on March 22.
Anyone who may be eligible to receive the vaccine should:
- Check local vaccination sites like Meijer, Rite Aid, or Walgreens, or
- Check the websites for local hospitals or health departments that may be administering the vaccines, or
- Those without internet access should call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136.
In a press release, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged all Michiganders who are eligible for the vaccine to take it.
"The more people we can get the safe and effective vaccine, the faster we can return to a sense of normalcy,” Whitmer said. “I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines to protect you, your family and your community."
Whitmer went on to say that Michigan is making good progress vaccinating its residents, now that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine has been approved for emergency use.
"We’ve already administered over 2.3 million doses to Michiganders of all races and backgrounds, and yesterday’s announcement that our national supply will be enough to protect all Americans by the end of May is incredible news. 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.”
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.