MICHIGAN, USA — The state announced Wednesday that people 50 years old or older with a pre-existing condition, as well as, family caregivers will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, March 8.
This change follows the announcement by President Joe Biden the day prior that doses would be available for 300 million people by the end of May.
Beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility will again expand to include all Michiganders 50 and older. To date, more than 40% of Michiganders age 65 and older have been vaccinated.
“I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines to protect you, your family and your community. We’ve already administered over 2.3 million doses to Michiganders of all races and backgrounds, and yesterday’s announcement that our national supply will be enough to protect all Americans by the end of May is incredible news," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer first made the announcement about the expansion while at an event in Dearborn on Wednesday morning. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services later made a formal announcement.
But, West Michigan health departments say they learned of the news Wednesday, and were still sorting out their efforts to ramp up vaccinations.
"The KCHD is working to expand its process to ensure all eligible residents can be vaccinated. Vaccine supplies remain extremely limited, so we ask for patience as we work through the details," read a statement from the Kent County Health Department.
Theresa Bininger, 62, will become eligible for the vaccine on Monday as she has multiple pre-existing conditions. But, she recently booked a vaccine appointment in Ohio.
"There's a lot of people with pre-existing conditions, like myself, that have, you know, we've hardly left our house in a year," Bininger, who lives in Kalamazoo County, said. "There's some that have not left their house at all."
Bininger had initially not planned on traveling to another state for the vaccine due to the risk of travel.
But, as time has passed and she became involved with the West Michigan Vaccine Hunter Facebook page — she found the opportunity to book herself and her boyfriend, who also has pre-existing conditions, appointments at a Ohio pharmacy.
She said she's not sure she will cancel the appointments even with Wednesday's announcement.
"I mean I was excited to see the news," Bininger said. "But, when you're on a site like I'm on and you find all these other people that are still waiting, that qualified before you and they're not getting it."
As of Wednesday, the state of Michigan has confirmed 591,753 total cases of COVID-19 and over 15,500 people have died from the virus. Michigan is currently allowing some essential workers and all people ages 65 years and older to receive the vaccine.
This week marks the largest amount of COVID-19 vaccines, over 492,000 doses, coming into the state since the start of the rollout in mid-December, between Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer shipments.
Wednesday's announcement is a shift from previous prioritization guidelines that had other essential workers up next for the vaccine, like grocery store workers.
The state said of the expansion: "MDHHS is accelerating vaccination of these individuals due to concern around disparity in life expectancy and in an effort to remove barriers to vaccine access."
The state's goal is to vaccinate 70% of the population ages 16 and older as soon as possible.
Here is who qualifies under MDHHS's expansion of the vaccine:
I am a person living with a disability. Am I eligible to receive a vaccination?
The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. Examples of major life activities include eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, reading, bending, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. In addition, the ADA also includes major bodily functions (e.g., “functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions”).
What medical conditions would make me eligible for vaccination during this phase for those individuals age 50 and older?
Certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19. Severe illness from COVID-19 is defined as hospitalization, admission to the ICU, intubation or mechanical ventilation, or death.
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2)
- Severe Obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
The following medical conditions might place an individual at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, and are therefore also eligible for vaccination in ages 50 and above at this time:
- Asthma (moderate-to-severe)
- Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
- Neurologic conditions, such as dementia
- Liver disease
- Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2, but < 30 kg/m2)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
- Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
I am a caregiver of a child with special health care needs. Am I eligible to receive a vaccination?
Caregiver family members and guardians age 16 years and older of children with special health care needs may be vaccinated at this time. Special health care needs include any physical, developmental, mental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention, and/or use of specialized services or programs. The condition may be congenital, developmental, or acquired through disease, trauma, or environmental cause and may impose limitations in performing daily self maintenance activities or substantial limitations in a major life activity.
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