Michigan has hit a COVID-19 vaccine milestone with 10 million doses administered. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement on Wednesday.
The state of Michigan is inching closer to its goal of a 70-percent vaccination rate with 68.3% of Michganders age 16 and older having received at least the first dose.
Also, 207,000 third doses have been administered to those who are immunocompromised and booster doses to those eligible.
“As of today, Michigan has surpassed 10 million doses of hope in the form of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” Whitmer said. “Thank you to the more than 5.5 million Michiganders who have gotten vaccinated to keep themselves, their families and communities safe. Whether it’s completing your first or second dose, or getting your booster or additional dose of the vaccine, I urge all eligible Michiganders to make a plan to get theirs today. The vaccine remains the best way to help us get back to normal and continue our strong economic progress.”
From January to July 2021, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for 98% of COVID cases, 95% of hospitalizations and 96% of deaths.
“The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is already protecting millions of Michiganders from this deadly virus,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “With the Delta variant circulating and cases of COVID-19 continuing to spread across the state, we urge all eligible Michiganders to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those who are eligible for a third dose due to being immunocompromised or a booster dose according to CDC guidance are urged to make an appointment with their health care provider or visit their local pharmacy to maintain and increase that level of protection.”
The breakdown of the 10 million doses has Pfizer with 5,967,776 doses; Moderna with 3,900,419 doses; and 352,317 doses of Johnson & Johnson
Michiganders ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The CDC recommendations for booster shots come in two categories — those who should receive them and those who may. People aged 65 years and older; residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings and people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should get the booster. Those who may get the booster are ages 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions and people aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings such as healthcare workers or teachers.
Additionally, Michiganders with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer COVID-19 or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This additional dose is intended to improve the response of people who are immunocompromised to their initial vaccine series.
