Michigan moves to new phase of vaccinations; Western UP Health Department continues to vaccinate Phase 1A, planning for Phase 1B

This slide from Governor Whitmer and Dr. Khaldun's presentation on Jan. 6, 2021, summarizes plans for beginning Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations in Michigan next week. (Image courtesy Michigan Executive Office of the Governor)*

LANSING -- To help reach the state’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders over age 16 and bring a quicker end to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced on Wednesday, Jan. 6, that the state is moving to a new phase of vaccination on Monday, Jan. 11.*

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, joins Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (background) in a live video presentation Wednesday, Jan. 6, on the plans for continuing COVID-19 vaccinations across Michigan.**

HANCOCK -- Healthcare partners across the Western Upper Peninsula are working together to push forward with making COVID-19 vaccinations available to residents. To date, well over 1,000 individuals have been vaccinated in the 5-county area. Phase 1A vaccinations should be completed by the middle of next week.

As announced earlier Wednesday, Jan. 6, by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the state is moving to a new phase of vaccination on Monday, Jan. 11. This next phase, known as Phase 1B, will include residents age 65 and older; frontline essential workers including police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers and jail and prison staff; and preK-12 teachers and childcare providers.

Local partners including Aspirus, UP Health Systems-Portage, Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center, and Baraga County Memorial Hospital met Wednesday to expand planning to accommodate those eligible for Phase 1B vaccination. The planning group is working towards offering a variety of options and venues for residents, with the end goal of providing doses to everyone wishing to be vaccinated.

Vaccine supply remains limited and vaccine clinics will be by invite or appointment only. No walk-in vaccination clinics will be held at this time. Additional details, including how to schedule a vaccination with the various providers, will be made available soon.

This slide from MDHHS directs those in an eligible group for vaccination to make an appointment for vaccination through their local health department.*

"Changing guidance and limited vaccine allocations have added to the complexity of the planning process," said Kate Beer, Health Officer for the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. "We appreciate your patience as we develop our plan to meet the needs of our community."

Editor's Notes:

* Click here to see the full Jan. 6 COVID-19 power point presentation on vaccination planning.

** Click here to see the Jan. 6 video presentation from Gov. Whitmer and Dr. Khaldun on Gov. Whitmer's Facebook page.