Michigan is working on COVID vaccine strategy – here are the four key takeaways

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has some major updates from its Covid-19 vaccine strategy, including changes for food processors, agricultural and mortuary service workers and some people aged 60 and over.

“I am excited to announce initiatives that will help improve the state’s equity strategy and enable us to get more vulnerable Michiganders vaccinated,” he said. Joneigh Khaldun, medical CEO for Michigan Department of Human Services Health Department. “Workers in a higher risk agricultural environment have been negatively affected by this pandemic. We also know we need to remove the barriers to access to vaccines for our most vulnerable individuals in Michigan, including people with disabilities, lower incomes, and racial and ethnic minorities.

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‘These steps will enable our federally qualified health centers across the state to start vaccinating and will prioritize the allocation of vaccines to partnerships and providers that remove barriers to entry. This strategy is important because we continue our goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over the age of 16 as fairly as possible. ”

READ: Beaumont cancels 1,884 second-dose vaccinations due to unexpectedly low inventory

Here is the most important take-away from Monday’s release:

Immediately, coroner workers who regularly work with infectious materials could be vaccinated as part of group 1A, the state announced.

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

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

These community health centers are located in medically underserved areas to provide affordable and comprehensive, high-quality medical services to everyone, no matter who they are, where they come from or their ability to pay, the state said in a release.

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

Currently, Michigan residents 65 and older can be vaccinated.

Providers with specific plans to remove barriers to entry throughout the state will also be allowed to request vaccinations for people 60 and older, the state announced.

MDHHS has announced that employees in food processing and agricultural institutions can be vaccinated from 1 March.

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That includes about 79,000 Michiganders, officials said.

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