Michigan will extend the vaccine admission to anyone 50 years and older and to everyone 16 and older from April 5 from March 22, Government Gretchen Whitmer said Friday. The announcement comes a day after President Biden’s first speech, in which he ordered countries to expand access to all adults by May 1.
“Nearly 1 million Michiganders of all races have already been vaccinated safely,” Whitmer, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I urge all Michiganders to get one of the three Covid-19 vaccines.”
Currently, everyone in Michigan 65 and older is eligible, and people older than 50 have health conditions that increase their risk for serious complications of Covid-19, including obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes. On March 22, all adults with such health conditions will also be eligible.
According to a New York Times database, 19 percent of Michiganders received at least one dose of vaccine and 11 percent were fully vaccinated, which puts the rate of the state roughly at the U.S. average.
Earlier this week, Alaska became the first state to be eligible for anyone 16 years and older, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox announced that all adults would be eligible there by April 1st.
Colorado government Jared Police said Friday he expects all adults must be eligible in his country by mid-April, although he has not set a specific date.
The director of Arizona’s Department of Health Services, dr. Cara Christ, told reporters on Friday that the state plans to consider vaccinations for anyone 16 years and older by May 16 and older.
A number of other states, including Texas and New York, announced expansions for new categories this week.
In Connecticut, the state has already planned to allow people 16 years and older to get a vaccine from May 3rd.