Michigan Medicine to Begin Vaccinating Patients 65 and Over Next Week

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine plans to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients 65 years of age or older as it enters its new priority phase next week.

Starting Monday, the healthcare system will begin sending out invitations to its patients in this age range under the care of a Michigan Medicine primary care provider to schedule appointments through the MyUofMHealth portal or by mail. Those who have had a visit with a Michigan medicine supplier in the past two years are also eligible to receive the vaccine.

Michigan Medicine vaccination sites are closed to the public and require an appointment.

Each week, available appointments will depend on supply, but the healthcare system hopes to offer all patients in this group planning to receive the vaccine for the next two to three months.

“Michigan Medicine will move forward into this phase in partnership with the state, local health departments and other health systems in our region to work to immunize our community as quickly as possible,” Sandro Cinti, MD, one of Michigan Medicine executives. vaccine distribution effort and professor of infectious diseases at UM’s medical school said in a statement.

“We wouldn’t have been able to nearly complete Phase 1A without the collaborative partnership with all of these groups, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.”

More than 200,000 patients fall into the 65 and over category in the state of Michigan. Invitations to schedule the first dose of vaccine will be sent out in batches, depending on availability.

Michigan Medicine has so far received 21,700 doses of the Pfizer Inc./BioNTech vaccine and has vaccinated 13,863 frontline Phase 1A people, including physicians, medical staff, and health care students in accordance with guidelines. state and federal guidelines.

In the coming days, thousands of appointments are already scheduled – some for a second dose – as Michigan Medicine strives to deplete its current vaccine supply as much as possible. He estimates that he administers over 90 percent of his supply each week.

Further shipments are expected next week, but the exact number of incoming vaccines is unknown. Michigan Medicine hopes to redouble its efforts to deliver 3,400 vaccines per day in multiple locations, depending on supply.

Michigan Stadium recently opened as a vaccination site. Michigan Medicine administers vaccines seven days a week with plans to add campus locations.

“This is a major milestone in our efforts to fight the COVID-19 virus,” Cinti said in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to offer this vital vaccine to vulnerable patients. Our best tactic in dealing with this pandemic is to get this safe and effective vaccine to as many people as possible as soon as possible. In doing so, we are also supporting the vaccination efforts of communities across the state. “

Reaching communities of color is a top priority for Michigan Medicine, which launched a strong community outreach effort, including a free virtual town hall on Jan. 16 titled “COVID-19 and the African American Community.”

“It is essential that we engage everyone in an open conversation about the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine, but especially with communities of color who have long-standing concerns and mistrust due to vaccination experiences. past, ”Tony Denton, senior vice president and COO of the University of Michigan Health System, who is leading the community education and outreach effort, said in a statement.

“We recognize that these concerns exist and wish to remove all barriers and provide evidence-based information to ensure equitable and ethical delivery of health care across all populations. We plan to invite and engage communities of color in an open discussion to address fears, reviewing the science of clinical trials and building the confidence of individuals and families to get the COVID-19 vaccine. It is one of the most important public health efforts of our lives. We aim to make a real difference by addressing equitable access. “

The transition to immunizing people 65 years of age or older falls under Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. On Wednesday, state officials authorized the distribution of vaccines to the priority group from Monday.

Michigan Medicine is responsible for inoculating the entire University of Michigan community at its three campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint.

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