Whitmer: Government releasing more vaccines
Millions of doses to be spread across 9 states
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday that the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has agreed to release millions of doses of coronavirus vaccine to Michigan and eight other states even as Michigan’s cases and deaths from the virus continue to fall.
The state reported 1,994 new confirmed cases and 100 deaths Tuesday, although the number of deaths include 50 from a review of state vital records.
Michigan has pushed to receive more doses of the vaccine with the goal of vaccinating 70% of the population age 16 and older.
“Michigan and states across the country remain ready to get more shots in arms, which is why the Trump Administration’s decision to grant our request and release millions of doses of the vaccine is so crucial,” Whitmer said. “It will take all of us – the federal government, state and local leaders, health departments, and everyday Americans - to ensure everyone can get the safe and effective vaccine.”
The other eight states are California, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon. Michigan entered a new phase of vaccine distribution Monday, and began offering vaccines to Michiganders age 65 and older, frontline essential workers, jail and prison staff; and pre K-12 educators, support staff, and childcare providers.
Distribution of the vaccine has been slow. According to the state’s coronavirus web page, Michigan has distributed 829,200 doses so far and administered 233,085.
Tuesday’s coronavirus numbers falling below 2,000 new confirmed cases is welcome news after 10 months of the pandemic.
New cases continue to be highest in southeast Michigan, however.
There were 251 new cases and 12 deaths reported in Oakland County, 235 cases and 13 deaths in Wayne County, 147 cases and 13 deaths in Macomb County, and 64 cases and no deaths in Detroit.
Elsewhere in the state, there were 86 cases and seven deaths in Genesee County, 138 cases and no deaths in Kent County, and 35 cases and five deaths in St. Clair County.
In rural mid Michigan, there were 12 cases and no deaths in Clare County, nine cases and one death in Gratiot County, and 14 cases and two deaths in Isabella County.
Since mass vaccination efforts began last month, the Trump administration has held back roughly half the vaccines to ensure sufficient supply for people to get a required second shot. Under the new policy, the expectation is that people will still get their second doses about a month later, as planned.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and other Operation Warp Speed officials, who oversee vaccine distribution, said concerns about possible hiccups in manufacturing and distribution have been allayed by the steady ramp-up.
The move to release millions of vaccine doses departs from the Trump administration’s original strategy and comes just days after President- elect Joe Biden announced plans to release nearly all the vaccine supply. Biden is expected to provide a detailed blueprint on reinvigorating the rollout later this week.
Over the next two weeks, Azar said, doses held in reserve will be shipped out based on states’ orders. Beyond that, he said, the available doses will be released first to cover second doses and then to provide additional first vaccinations.