Ford Field to open as mass vaccination site

Starting March 24, facility can support 6,000 doses per day

Ford Field will be used as a COVID-19 mass vaccination site beginning on March 24 with the capacity to administer 6,000 doses each day.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday that the Biden administration, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, selected Southeast Michigan for this major new community vaccination site.

The site, which was selected according to the CDC’s priority tool to help those hardest hit and most vulnerable, will operate from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week, for eight weeks under the federal government’s vaccination pilot program. It will be managed by the state of Michigan with support from FEMA, Wayne County, the city of Detroit, Ford Field, Meijer, Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Lions.

“I want to thank President Biden and FEMA for the opportunity to build one of the nation’s first community vaccination sites to service the entire Southeast Michigan region. Over one million Michiganders of all races have already been

“In Macomb County we will continue to work with our public health experts and trusted community advocates to ensure that residents can access the vaccine.”

— Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel

safely vaccinated, and this site will help us to reach our goal of equitably vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders who are 16 years or older more quickly,’’ Whitmer said.

Vaccine doses administered at the Ford Field mass vaccination site will be based on the Social Vulnerability Index to vaccinate the most vulnerable populations, and it will be in addition to Michigan’s regular statewide vaccine allotment.

First doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered at the site for the first three weeks of operation. Those vaccinated within that timeframe will be guaranteed a second dose during fourth, fifth and sixth weeks of operation. The brand of vaccine to be supplied during the final two weeks of the of the mass vaccination site has not yet been determined.

“Today’s announcement is another powerful symbol that partnerships at every level of government, working alongside Michigan health care providers, pharmacies and organizations like the Detroit Lions, will be the key to emerging from this pandemic,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter.

“We are pleased to see our partners at the federal level expand vaccine accessibility in Southeast Michigan,” said Mark A. Hackel, Macomb County Executive. “In Macomb County we will continue to work with our public health experts and trusted community advocates to ensure that residents can access the vaccine.”

Also on Friday, Whitmer expanded eligibility for the vaccine to anyone 16 and older with health risks starting March 22. Also anyone 16 and older will be eligible on April 5.

The vaccine at Ford Field will be offered at no cost, and insurance is not required, nor will it be requested at the vaccination center. Any Michigan resident who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine under the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services vaccine prioritization guidance will be able to register for an appointment.

Specific instructions on how to book an appointment will be announced in the coming days. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.