Michigan Updates COVID Vaccination Strategy – Here Are Top 4 Takeaways

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan announced major updates to its Covid-19 vaccine strategy, including changes for workers in food processing, agricultural and mortuary services and some people aged 60 and over.

“I am delighted to announce initiatives that will help improve the state’s equity strategy and allow us to vaccinate more vulnerable Michiganders,” said Dr. Joneigh khaldun, medical director of Michigan Department of Health Human Services. “Workers in high-risk agricultural settings have been affected by this pandemic. We also know we must remove barriers to accessing vaccines for our most vulnerable people in Michigan, including people with disabilities, low income, and racial and ethnic minorities.

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“These steps will allow our federally qualified health centers across the state to begin immunizing and prioritize vaccine allocation to partnerships and providers that remove barriers to access.” This strategy is important as we move forward towards our goal of equitably immunizing 70% of Michiganders over 16 years of age as quickly as possible. “

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Here are the main takeaways from Monday’s outing:

From now on, mortuary service workers who regularly work with infectious materials will be able to be vaccinated as part of group 1A, the state said.

This update is in line with recommendations from the CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Michigan officials said.

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The MDHHS announced that 41 federally qualified health centers across the state will begin receiving doses to help immunize residents 65 and older.

These community health centers are located in medically underserved areas to provide high quality, affordable and comprehensive medical services to everyone, regardless of identity, country of origin or ability to pay, the state said. in a press release.

Click here to see a full list of qualified health centers.

Currently, residents of Michigan aged 65 and over can be vaccinated.

Now, providers with specific plans to remove barriers to access statewide will also be allowed to request vaccines for people aged 60 and older, the state said.

The MDHHS has announced that workers in food processing and agriculture will be able to get vaccinated from March 1.

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This includes around 79,000 Michiganders, officials said.

This will help ensure the health and safety of Michigan’s essential food and agriculture workers and keep the state’s food supply chain in motion, the MDHHS said in the statement.