(WXYZ) — The state of Michigan is considering prioritizing different groups for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state Department of Health and Human Services said it will consider prioritizing:
• Workers in locations where high rates of transmission and/or outbreaks have occurred.
• Workers who are at increased risk for severe illness based on age or underlying medical conditions.
MDHHS says vaccine providers across the state have been working hard to accelerate vaccinations to help the state reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders age 16 and older.
The state is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for prioritization of vaccine distribution. The CDC's recommendations are based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
MDHHS says the prioritizations may change as more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccination products become available.
The timing of the start of vaccination in a phase is dependent on the guidance from CDC or ACIP, supply of vaccine from the manufacturer, how vaccine is allocated from the federal level to Michigan, and capacity to administer the vaccine to populations, the state say. As Michigan gets additional vaccine allocations, MDHHS will be able to accelerate the process and reach priority groups more quickly.
Sub-prioritization of frontline essential workers is needed due to limited vaccine supply, per MDHHS.
Michigan has capacity to vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day but the supply of COVID-19 doses remains limited, the Associated Press reports.
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