HANCOCK -- The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) began vaccinating priority groups today, Dec. 29, with recently received Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. As limited supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine have started to arrive in the area, residents are asking, "When will COVID-19 vaccine be available to me?"
WUPHD expects vaccine administration to roll out over a series of months and is working with area hospitals, physicians, and outpatient clinics to distribute available vaccines according to a phased approach that has been adopted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The phased vaccination approach allows for continued functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community, while protecting people at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. These prioritizations may change as more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccine products become available.
The current prioritized phases and estimated time lines are as follows:
PHASE 1A -- DECEMBER AND JANUARY
Priority 1: Critical health care
Priority 2: Long-term care staff and residents
Priority 3: Necessary health care
PHASE 1B -- MID JANUARY
Frontline essential workers who keep critical infrastructure functioning, and people age 75 years and older.
PHASE 1C -- MID FEBRUARY
Individuals at risk of severe illness (people age 65-74 years, and people age 16-74 years with high risk medical conditions) and some other essential workers whose work must be performed on site.
PHASE 2 -- END OF MARCH/EARLY APRIL
All other individuals age 16 years or older.
The state and region are currently working through the Phase 1A priorities. Additional media announcements will be made as new phases are reached.
There is no out-of-pocket cost to individuals for the vaccine; however, healthcare providers may bill insurance for administration costs. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses separated by 28 days, while the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses separated by 21 days. Individuals should receive both doses in order to be considered fully vaccinated.
The COVID-19 vaccine is critical in slowing the spread and helping communities recover from the pandemic. Stopping the pandemic will take ALL our tools: handwashing, masks, social distancing and vaccines. Together, these tools offer the best chance of getting our communities, schools, and work sites back to normal. WUPHD reminds residents to continue using prevention strategies as vaccines become more widely distributed and for some time after.
Gov. Whitmer: Wearing masks saves lives
Governor Whitmer also noted she is urging the Michigan Legislature to pass legislation that would require wearing masks in public -- a policy that has bipartisan support and would help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Whitmer signs $106 Million bipartisan relief bill, bills extending unemployment benefits to 26 weeks
Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bipartisan relief bill that the Michigan legislature passed after she urged them to provide support for Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses. The relief bill includes $55 million to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Grants of up to $20,000 will be made available to small businesses across the state that need support this winter. The relief bill also includes $3.5 million for grants of up to $40,000 each for live music and entertainment venues, and includes $45 million in direct payments to workers who have been laid off or furloughed as a result of the virus.
"I proposed this stimulus plan to the legislature in November because I know how much our families, frontline workers, and small businesses need relief. This bipartisan bill will provide families and businesses the support they need to stay afloat as we continue working to distribute the safe and effective vaccine and eliminate COVID-19 once and for all," said Governor Whitmer. "There is still more work to do to eliminate this virus and grow our economy. All Michiganders have a personal responsibility to do their part and mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. We will beat this virus together."
The governor also signed bipartisan Senate Bill 604 extending unemployment benefits for Michiganders who have lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic from 20 to 26 weeks until the end of March 2021. Senate Bill 604 was sponsored by Senator Curtis Hertel.
"No Michigander should have to worry about how to put food on the table or pay their bills, especially during a global pandemic," said Governor Whitmer. "These bipartisan bills are an important step in providing immediate relief for working families, but there is more work to do. I urge the legislature to take further action to make this permanent. 40 states, including all of our neighbors, automatically provide at least 26 weeks of unemployment relief. Michiganders deserve better than a short-term extension that expires in March. It’s time to work together on a bipartisan, long-term solution for working families."
From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Whitmer and her administration have worked around the clock to ensure benefits for Michiganders who have lost work because of the virus. Since March 15, Governor Whitmer’s administration has paid nearly $27 billion in benefits to nearly 2.3 million workers.
Click here to see a video of Gov. Whitmer's Dec. 29 press conference.
For more information on COVID-19 please visit www.wuphd.org, michigan.gov/coronavirus, or cdc.gov/coronavirus.
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