US sets the stage for COVID booster shots for millions
The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stood on the verge of a major new phase as government advisers Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizerโs vaccine for millions of older or otherwise vulnerable Americans โ despite doubts the extra shots will do much to slow the pandemic.
16 things to know from recent talk about Michigan COVID restrictions, workplace rules, vaccines
Itโs been a hectic few days in terms of COVID-19 news in Michigan, with discussions about whether new restrictions are needed, an extension of emergency workplace rules and questions surrounding vaccines.
White House COVID-19 Response Team urges caution as states loosen restrictions
Nationwide, the White House COVID-19 Response Team said that nearly 30 percent of American adults and nearly two-thirds of seniors have received at least their first shot of the vaccine. โWe are looking at this data carefully. Weโre taking all of those data carefully and revisiting our guidance in that context,โ she said. A new CDC report found that 96 percent of people are getting their second dose of vaccine within the recommended time frames. Only 3 percent missed their second dose.
COVID vaccination eligibility in Michigan to expand Monday: What to know
Michigan residents -- ages 50 and up -- will be able to get vaccinated starting Monday as long as they have a pre-existing condition. โIt includes cancer or diabetes, overweight, smoking, a lot of conditions,โ said Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, with the Washtenaw County Health Department. However, Ringler-Cerniglia said that although eligibility is expanding, it doesnโt necessarily mean that youโll be vaccinated soon. These vaccines are free of charge, but patients do not have any say on which of the three vaccines theyโre set to receive. READ: Metro Detroit leaders: Seniors wonโt be left out as vaccine eligibility expandsAdPre-existing health conditions include:
Metro Detroit leaders: Seniors wonโt be left out as vaccine eligibility expands
Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday the state would be expanding access to the coronavirus vaccine to people 50 years old and older. Now thereโs a rush for them to try and secure their place in the line for a COVID vaccine before the pool expands by more than a million people. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesNow just because more will be allowed to get the vaccine doesnโt mean younger people will get the vaccine before seniors. The focus in Oakland County will be on the elderly. Office of Wayne County executiveMacomb County executive Mark Hackel said they will also prioritize seniors.
Concerns grow over access to COVID vaccine in Michigan as eligibility expands
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday that the state would be expanding access to the coronavirus vaccine to people 50 years old and older. Now thereโs a rush for them to try and secure their place in the line for a COVID vaccine before the pool expands by more than a million people. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesBrian Gallagher, 52, from Rochester Hills, is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine next week but he wonโt. AdREAD: 6 Q&As on Michiganโs expansion of COVID-19 vaccine plan to 50+
Westland seniors frustrated with wait times at COVID vaccination site
WESTLAND, Mich. โ The city of Westland kicked off its first COVID-19 vaccine clinic Monday by appointment only. READ: Meijer holds COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Ford Field in Detroit for educatorsMichigan expected to receive 82,700 doses of J&J vaccine this weekThe state of Michigan is expected to receive 82,700 doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine this week. The J&J vaccine doses are expected in Michigan by Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said Monday. Over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Johnson & Johnsonโs COVID-19 vaccine for an emergency use authorization. Nearly 4 million doses of the J&J vaccine are expected to start shipping across the U.S. on Monday.
How a CVS closure impacts COVID vaccination efforts for seniors in Highland Park
HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. โ Efforts to vaccinate citizens against COVID-19 are underway in Highland Park. Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp said people were supposed to be vaccinated at a Highland Park CVS, but the CVS has closed. According to a communications director with CVS, the Highland Park store did not renew its lease and closed on Jan. 2. We made the difficult business decision to not renew the lease for our Highland Park store and it closed on January 2. All employees at our Highland Park store who wanted to remain with CVS were transferred to one of our other locations.
Seniors in Highland Park, Hamtramck line up to receive dose of COVID-19 vaccine
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. โ Wayne County is now vaccinating people 65 years old and older against the coronavirus. They are only for seniors who live in those particular communities and people must make appointments to get a vaccine. Seniors in Highland Park and Hamtramck have had to wait a long time to be able to receive a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. There is a note included in the list if that particular clinic is already completely booked. More information can be found on the official Wayne County website here.
Wayne Countyโs new COVID vaccine clinics fill quickly -- What to know
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. โ Wayne County is now vaccinating people 65 years old and older against the coronavirus. They are only for seniors who live in those particular communities and people must make appointments to get a vaccine. โIโm pleased Wayne County is now in a position to begin vaccinating seniors,โ Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said. Our team is working hard to ensure all of our residents can get their COVID shot as quickly as the vaccine is available.โThe full list of clinics and how to register can be found below. More information can be found on the official Wayne County website here.
81-year-old mother from Westland set to receive COVID vaccine after struggle
WAYNE COUNTY, mich. โ Last week, Local 4 spoke with a Westland Family that was unable to schedule a vaccine appointment for their 81-year-old mother. Dorothy Bigalow, 81, is now set to receive the vaccine later this week. READ: Wayne County family frustrated over 81-year-old motherโs inability to get vaccinatedMany seniors have been left behind in state and local COVID-19 vaccination efforts. When Sue Woody spoke with Local 4 on Friday, there was an overwhelming response. The Administrator of Beaumont Dearborn personally spoke with Sue Woody on the phone on Saturday and scheduled a vaccine appointment for her for Wednesday.
Macomb Countyโs SMART bus vaccination program draws praise, but doses remain in low supply
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. โ Macomb Countyโs partnership with SMART to help senior citizens vaccinated went into effect Wednesday. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesSharon Gurney received her first COVID-19 vaccine dose recently just by answering the phone when Macomb County and SMART called her. He called SMART and asked if they could get seniors to vaccine appointments as the county got more doses. The plan could be expanded as long as there are vaccine doses available. You can also reach out by email at MacombVaccine@SMARTbus.orgAdREAD: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine data
Macomb County reaches out to seniors, offers vaccines, rides to get it
MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. โ Macomb County executive Mark Hackel is pushing to make things easier for senior citizens to get vaccinated. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesStarting Wednesday, the county will start reaching out, offering appointments and more. For seniors who use the SMART Bus in Macomb County, it will be a game changer. This service will be for seniors who use SMART buses but the program will expand soon. READ: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine data
What we know about the process of getting COVID-19 vaccine doses to pharmacies
DETROIT โ The question of where to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be just as confusing as to how to get it. When stand-alone pharmacies start getting significant doses you can expect things to change drastically. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesMore pharmacies in Michigan are getting involved in giving vaccines to people. President Joe Bidenโs administration is planning to ship vaccines directly to pharmacies -- starting with 10.5 million doses. READ: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine data
211 lines tied up after MDHHS recommends calling for vaccine help
LANSING, Mich. โ Friday brought even more confusion for Michiganders attempting to schedule a coronavirus vaccination appointment -- particularly over the phone. Original Story: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say itโs not workingMultiple viewers said they called in and were unable to get through. One viewer said 211 gave them a recorded message that 211 was not scheduling vaccinations and another said the phone rang for 25 minutes with no answer. Michigan senior residents have been struggling to receive their vaccines. People 60-years-old and older account for 24% of the confirmed cases in Michigan but are 90% of the confirmed deaths.
Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say itโs not working
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is strategizing on how to make sure every resident is vaccinated quickly. Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday for emergency approval of its vaccine -- the worldโs first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an easier-to-use option that could boost scarce supplies. If approved, there would be a third vaccine option and more doses available to residents. Please be patient as we work with local health departments and hospital systems to deliver tje vaccine to every community in the state. Lynn Sutfin, MDHHS Public Information OfficerREAD: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases
Under new president, Dr. Fauci says it is โliberatingโ to โlet the science speakโ
โThe idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know, what the evidence, what the science is and know thatโs it, let the science speak -- it is somewhat of a liberating feeling,โ Fauci added. Dr. Fauci asked about difference between Trump and Biden administrations:"The idea that you can get up here and talk about what you know, what the evidence, what the science is and know that's it, let the science speak โ it is somewhat of a liberating feeling." Throughout the pandemic, Trump constantly undermined Fauciโs credibility, falsely insisting that the pandemic was nearly over. Now under the Biden administration, Fauci is in full view of the public, feeling like he can speak freely and openly about the science surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. โOne of the new things in this administration is, If you donโt know the answer, donโt guess,โ Fauci said.