Michigan Medicine will start vaccinating patients 65 and older next week

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine plans to start administering the COVID-19 vaccine to patients age 65 and older as it moves into its new priority phase next week.

Starting on Monday, the healthcare system will begin sending out invitations to its patients in this age group, under the care of a Michigan Medicine primary care provider, to schedule appointments through the MyUofMHealth portal or by mail. Those who have had an appointment with any Michigan drug provider in the past two years are also eligible to receive the vaccine.

Michigan Medicine vaccination sites are closed to the public and require consultation.

Each week, available consultations will depend on supplies, but the health system hopes to offer all patients in this group a plan to receive the vaccine in the next two to three months.

“Michigan Medicine will move into this phase in partnership with the state, local health departments and other health systems in our region to work to vaccinate our community as soon as possible,” Sandro Cinti, MD, one of Michigan Medicine’s leaders in vaccine distribution and professor of infectious diseases at UM Medical School, said in a statement.

“We would not have been successful in nearly completing Phase 1A without collaborative partnership with all of these groups, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.”

More than 200,000 patients fall into the category of 65 or older across Michigan. Invitations to schedule the first dose of the vaccine will be sent in batches, subject to availability.

So far, Michigan Medicine has received 21,700 doses of the Pfizer Inc./BioNTech vaccine and vaccinated 13,863 frontline Phase 1A individuals, including doctors, medical staff and health students under state and federal guidelines.

In the coming days, thousands of appointments are already scheduled – some for second doses – while Michigan Medicine uses as much of its current vaccine stock as possible. He estimates that he manages more than 90 percent of his supply each week.

More shipments are expected next week, but the exact number of vaccines received is unknown. Michigan Medicine expects to increase its efforts to administer 3,400 vaccines a day in several locations, depending on the supply.

Michigan Stadium recently opened as a vaccination site. Michigan Medicine is administering vaccines seven days a week with plans to add locations across the campus.

“This is an important milestone in our effort to combat the COVID-19 virus,” said Cinti in a statement. “We are delighted to be able to offer this vaccine that saves lives to vulnerable patients. Our best tactic to fight this pandemic is to provide this vaccine safe and effective to the largest number of people as quickly as possible. In doing so, we are also supporting vaccination efforts for communities across the state. ”

Reaching black communities is a top priority for Michigan Medicine, which launched a major community outreach effort, including a free virtual city hall on January 16 entitled “COVID-19 and the African American community”.

“It is crucial that everyone talk openly about the safety and efficacy of this vaccine, but especially for communities of color who have long-standing concerns and mistrust because of past vaccination experiences,” Tony Denton, senior vice president and director of University of Michigan Health System operations, which is leading community and educational work, said in a statement.

“We recognize that these concerns exist and we want to remove any barriers and provide factual information to ensure equitable and ethical provision of health care for all populations. We plan to invite and involve communities of color in open discussions to deal with fears, reviewing the science of clinical trials and building trust for individuals and families to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. This is one of the most important public health efforts of our lives. Our goal is to make a real difference in the approach to equitable access. “

The transition to vaccinating individuals aged 65 and over falls within Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. On Wednesday, state officials authorized the distribution of vaccines to the priority group as of Monday.

Michigan Medicine is responsible for inoculating the entire University of Michigan community on its three campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint.

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