All Adults in Michigan Are Now Eligible for the COVID Vaccine
The virus may be spiking in Michigan right now, but the push to get everyone vaccinated just took a big step forward. Starting today people that are 16 to 49 with certain medical conditions and disabilities will be allowed to receive the vaccine. Experts say the COVID-19 cavvine is the most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and those around you.
Michigan was the third state to announce broad eligibility this week. In Alaska, people 16 and older are now eligible. Utah will let those who are at least 18 be vaccinated beginning April 1. The U.S. is expecting to have enough doses for adults by the end of May, but Biden has warned the process of actually administering those doses will take time. As of Wednesday, about 1.8 million people, 22% of Michigan's 16-plus population, had been fully or partially vaccinated.
The eligibility was based on available vaccines and President Biden’s directive to open up vaccines. Our country is expected to have enough doses of the vaccine to cover all adults in the U.S. by May. The good news for Michigan is that around 22% of our six plus population at this time has been vaccinated.
Lifting the eligibility cap completely may be welcome news for those who advocate for people with disabilities. Many have called for pushing those with disabilities further ahead in the vaccine line. “It really can be a matter of life or death,” said Michelle Roberts, executive director of Disability Rights Michigan, in the same prepared statement. The state warned that it may take “several weeks” beyond April 5 for everyone to get a vaccine or even an appointment.
The vaccines are starting to show up everywhere. Just this week Meijer, Rite Aid, Kroger and Walmart are now scheduling vaccination appointments at select locations. Michigan is making very good progress on getting our citizens vaccinated.
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.
From Swab To Lab: A COVID-19 Test's Trip To Results
More From 99.1 WFMK
