Michigan is updating the COVID vaccine strategy – here are the 4 top takeaways

LANSING, Mich. Michigan has announced a number of important updates for its Covid-19 vaccine strategy, including changes for food processing, agricultural and mortuary workers and some people 60 and older.

“I am delighted to announce initiatives that will help improve the state’s equity strategy and enable us to vaccinate more vulnerable Michiganders,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health of Human Services“Workers in higher risk agricultural environments have been negatively impacted by this pandemic. We also know that we need to remove barriers to vaccine access 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 country to initiate vaccination and will prioritize the allocation of vaccines to partnerships and suppliers that will remove barriers to entry. This strategy is important as we move forward with our goal of fairly vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over the age of 16 and older as soon as possible. “

READ: Beaumont cancels 1,884 second-dose vaccine appointments due to unexpectedly low supply

Here are the main takeaways from Monday’s release

Immediately, mortuary workers who routinely work with infectious material could be vaccinated as part of Group 1A, the state announced.

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

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

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

Click here for a full list of qualified health centers

Currently, Michigan residents aged 65 and older are eligible for vaccination.

Now, providers with specific plans to remove barriers to entry in the state will also be allowed to request vaccines for people 60 and older, the state announced.

MDHHS has announced that workers in the food processing and agricultural environment can get vaccinated from March 1.

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This includes about 79,000 Michiganders, officials said.

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