Detroit is extending the suitability of the Covid vaccine to auto workers

DETROIT – City production workers, such as auto workers, are now eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine without any restrictions such as age or evidence of pre-existing conditions.

The increased admission for manufacturing workers in Detroit marks a major expansion in the admission of auto workers for vaccination following similar actions by municipalities such as Boone County in Illinois. It should help keep workers safe and keep car factories running.

The United Auto Workers union estimates that at least 10,000 of its members work in Detroit. A total number of factory workers living in the city was not immediately available.

The rollout of the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in Detroit will take place at a conference center and major manufacturing clinics, starting with two SUV plants for Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler. Production workers who live or work in the city are eligible, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Tuesday.

“The auto companies and UAW have done a great job so far, but nothing is better than vaccinating,” Duggan said at a news conference during which UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada was vaccinated.

Detroit auto makers implemented comprehensive safety measures and social distance guidelines last year during a two-month shutdown of their factories to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Security measures implemented included plastic barriers, masks and other things like temperature screens and protocols when entering and exiting the plants.

“Workers in manufacturing, whether unionized or not, have really been there throughout this pandemic operation, and it hasn’t been easy,” said Estrada. “We’ve had diseases in our plants and deaths, so this is incredibly important.”

According to union spokesman Brian Rothenberg, less than 30 of the UAW’s approximately 400,000 members have died as a result of Covid-19. He said the union is “working with the White House, the governors and all of our partners on plans to distribute vaccines.”

Stellantis workers in Boone County, Illinois, were among the first auto workers to receive Covid-19 vaccinations. The company said it looks forward to “working with other health departments to make vaccines available to the rest of our Stellantis employees according to local distribution plans.”

“Today’s announcement is an important step in protecting our employees and our communities so that we can return to the life we ​​all want to live,” Stellantis said in a statement.

The Stellantis factories in Detroit, including a new facility that is not yet fully operational, are among the largest manufacturing operations in the city. The company initially expects to vaccinate 8,000 people.

General Motors also has a large factory in the city, but due to construction work, that factory will not be producing any vehicles until later this year.

Detroit has administered 90,170 doses – 70.7% of the doses it received – and has more than 52,800 appointments scheduled, according to the website.