Michigan updates COVID vaccine strategy – here are the top 4 lessons

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan announced some important updates to its Vaccine for covid-19 strategy, including changes to food processing, agricultural workers and mortuary services and some people aged 60 and over.

“I am excited to announce initiatives that will help improve the state’s equity strategy and allow us to vaccinate the most vulnerable Michiganders,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer of the Michigan Department of Health Human Services. “Workers in high-risk agricultural environments have been harmed by this pandemic. We also know that we need to remove barriers to accessing the vaccine for our most vulnerable individuals in Michigan, including those with disabilities, low-income and racial and ethnic minorities.

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“These steps will allow our federally qualified health centers across the state to begin vaccinating and will prioritize the allocation of vaccines to partnerships and providers that are removing barriers to access. This strategy is important as we move forward with our goal to equitably vaccinate 70% of Michigan residents over 16 as quickly as possible. “

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Here are the main lessons from Monday’s release:

From now on, mortuary service workers who routinely work with infectious materials may be vaccinated as part of group 1A, the state announced.

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

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

These community health centers are located in medically underserved areas to provide high-quality, accessible and comprehensive medical services for everyone, regardless of who they are, where they come from or their ability to pay, the state said in a statement. communicated.

Click here for a complete list of qualified health centers.

Currently, Michigan residents age 65 and older can be vaccinated.

Now, providers with specific plans to remove access barriers across the state will also be able to order vaccines for people 60 and older, the state announced.

MDHHS has announced that food processing and agricultural workers will be able to be vaccinated as of March 1.

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That includes about 79,000 michiganders, officials said.

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