Vaccine Updates
Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Pause (April 13): The CDC and the FDA this morning, out of an abundance of caution, issued a statement advising providers to halt administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines while they investigate six instances of blood clots in previously vaccinated individuals. More than 6.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered to date nationally, meaning these instances are incredibly rare.
Vaccine Eligibility Expansion (April 5): As of Monday April 5, all areas of the state may, as vaccine supplies are available, implement vaccination of all people aged 16 and up who were not previously eligible.
Michigan Opening Eligibility to All Adults April 5 (March 12): In response to the President’s directive for states to open vaccine eligibility to all adults no later than May 1, Gov. Whitmer just announced that Michigan will open eligibility to adults 16-49 with certain preexisting conditions March 22, and to any adults 16 and older April 5. This is in addition to all adults 50-64 becoming eligible March 22. This news is reflected in the state’s official Prioritization Guidance document posted on their vaccine website.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Updates (March 5): The MHA is aware of ongoing misinformation regarding both the effectiveness of this vaccine and how it was developed (as it relates to use of fetal cell lines in the development of the vaccine). The fact is that Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses that are administered do not contain fetal cells. In addition, all three COVID-19 vaccines are equally effective in prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.
We encourage members to push back on misleading information on its communication channels whenever possible, which the MHA will also continue to do. The MHA also has background information and talking points available upon request. Please contact Ruthanne Sudderth for a copy.
Race and Ethnicity Data Being Added to State Dashboard (Feb. 22): The MDHHS expects the state COVID-19 vaccine dashboard to be updated this week to include race and ethnicity data. The MDHHS has also created an option for those providers who perform direct data entry into the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Additional information on how providers can directly input race and ethnicity data will be shared by the MDHHS later this week.
State Changes Hospitals’ Share of Vaccines Distributed (Feb. 4): MDHHS confirmed that it will continue the allocation process it implemented the week of Feb. 1, with 60% of the available vaccine going to health departments and 40% to hospitals, until further notice.
Vaccinating Vulnerable Communities (Jan. 20): The MDHHS yesterday, on their biweekly COVID-19 provider call, announced that they are working towards using the CDC Social Vulnerability Index to identify areas and individuals in Michigan that may have less access to COVID-19 vaccine, and will be encouraging vaccinating providers to use this data to find and vaccinate these individuals and communities. The MHA will also provide details on how to reach vulnerable individuals and communities as they become available.
Moving to Vaccination Priority Group 1B (Jan. 6): The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced in a press conference this afternoon that starting Monday, Jan. 11, additional Michiganders can be vaccinated against COVID-19, including residents 65 and over and police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers and jail and prison staff; and preK-12 teachers and childcare providers. In addition, they announced a modified 1B priority group that includes any resident 65 years and older in addition to essential workers. Previously, 1B included individuals 75 and older and essential workers.
Vaccination Priority Group Updates (Jan. 4): MDHHS has updated the language regarding priority groups receiving the vaccine. The current priority groups are as follows:
- 1A: Paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.
- 1B: Frontline essential workers and individuals 75 years of age and older.
- 1C: Other essential workers, persons 65 to 74 years of age and individuals 16 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions.
- 2: All persons age 16 years or older.
First Shipments of COVID-19 Vaccine (December 20): Pfizer began shipping its COVID-19 vaccine from its global warehouse in Michigan Dec. 14 and continued to deliver it to hospitals across the country throughout the week. Healthcare providers began inoculating staff members soon after the vaccine arrived. The second vaccine was approved for emergency use the evening of Dec. 18, and initial shipments to hospitals began Dec. 20.