Wayne County increases vaccines and receives more doses from the state

DETROIT – After state officials met with Wayne County executive Warren Evans, Wayne County will receive 8,375 first doses of the state’s COVID-19 vaccine next week, up from the 4,350 doses that Wayne County received this week.

However, the supply remains insufficient to expedite the vaccination of health professionals, educators and other essential workers of high priority in progress.

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“I’m fighting to make sure Wayne County gets the number of doses it needs based on a fair and equitable formula that reflects our population, the greatest social vulnerability of many of our residents and our status as Michigan’s most diverse county,” said Evans. “I understand that the state is working to distribute a very limited supply of vaccine to the entire state, but I think more work is needed to ensure a reliable and equitable supply.”

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Evans said he met state officials in Lansing on Thursday, because the Wayne County Public Health Division received fewer vaccines than health departments in other less populated counties.

The disparity in vaccine distribution was slowing Wayne County’s efforts to vaccinate health workers, educators and other high-priority essential workers under the state’s Phase 1A and Phase 1B distribution plan, Evans said.

Under an agreement between Wayne County and local health systems, county residents age 65 and older are being vaccinated through these health systems.

“I will continue to put pressure on the state of Michigan until the Wayne County Public Health Division receives the amount of vaccine needed to meet the needs of its residents,” said Evans.

READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccines: how to find appointments, information on phases

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Wayne County officials will begin vaccinating elementary and middle school teachers and education officials on Tuesday at their vaccination sites at Schoolcraft College and the Wayne County Community College Downriver campus in Taylor.

More information about Wayne County’s vaccination program can be found on its official website here.