The City of Detroit has greatly opened up its vaccine eligibility again to include anyone ages 18 or older living or working in Detroit whose job requires them to report to their regular work site, Mayor Mike Duggan announced on Monday. Before, only certain types of workers reporting to a job site (like teachers, postal workers, food handlers, and manufacturing employees) were eligible, per a press release. Now eligibility has been extended to all onsite employees provided they live or work in the city, such as bank branch staff and other office workers.
Duggan said that any large employer able to line up at least 100 employees in advance can ask the Detroit Health Department to conduct on-site vaccinations, instead of having to travel to TCF, where the vaccines are given. Employers able to assemble large groups of more than 100 employees over a day can call the Detroit Means Business call center at (844) 333-8249 to arrange a Health Department visit. All other onsite workers now eligible could schedule their appointment by calling the city’s central vaccine scheduling number at 313-230-0505.
Eligibility is also is expanded to include any Detroit resident age 16 or older who has an intellectual or developmental disability or underlying medical condition (as reported here previously). Among the conditions covered by Duggan’s initial February announcement are cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s Syndrome, muscular dystrophy, Tourette’s Syndrome, ADHD, Spinal Bifida, and hearing and vision impairment.
The expansion also includes these individuals’ caregivers and/or guardians. The Pfizer vaccine, however, has been approved for people age 16 and 17, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for individuals age 18 and older. This means that appointments for eligible 16 and 17-year-olds will be scheduled based on Pfizer availability, the release added.
“In two weeks, everyone over the age of 16 in Michigan will be eligible, but we felt it was important to open up eligibility earlier to these important groups of workers and younger vulnerable residents,” said Duggan yesterday.
Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair said that the Detroit Health Department is still awaiting confirmation as to when it will receive its first shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines – which is expected in the next week – and how many it will receive. Once it has that information confirmed, Detroit will announce the date for launching its second mass vaccination site at the Northwest Activities Center, which Duggan announced in his State of the City Address. The new site is expected to launch by the end of the month. Once the Northwest Activities Center date is announced, residents will schedule through the central scheduling number of 313-230-0505.
“We look forward to receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccines so we can provide our residents another highly effective vaccine. Detroiters will now have the option to select which vaccine they receive and where they receive it,” said Fair.
Detroit is also expanding eligibility for its weekend Senior Saturday vaccination events, which will now be called Community Saturdays because of the broader eligibility. In addition to any Detroiter age 50 or older, any Detroit resident age 18 or older who has to report to a worksite in the city or outside the city, can schedule an appointment for Community Saturday events this weekend. The complete list of locations is:
- Greater Emmanuel COGIC at 19190 Schaefer
- New Providence Baptist at 18211 Plymouth
- Galilee Baptist Church at 5251 E. Outer Drive
- Great Faith Ministries International at 10735 Grand River at Oakman
- Grace Community Church at 21001 Moross Road (second dose only)
- Kemeny Recreation Center at 2260 S. Fort Street (second dose only)
- Fellowship Chapel at 7707 W. Outer Drive (second dose only)
- Second Ebenezer Church at 14601 Dequindre (second dose only)
The time for each Community Saturday location is 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., except Fellowship Chapel, which will run from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., due to higher demand. Up to 500 doses of the vaccine will be available at each location each day.
$2 rides available
The city continues to schedule appointments for vaccinations at TCF Center and is providing rides to TCF for just $2 to Detroiters who need transportation. Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment. If a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is required, one will be provided. Eligible Detroiters can book an appointment by calling 313-230-0505.
The full list of eligible individuals who can schedule appointments at TCF now includes:
- Anyone living or working in Detroit for an employer who requires them to report to a worksite
- Any Detroit resident age 16 or older with a disability or underlying medical condition, as well as their caregiver and/or guardian.
- Any resident of the City of Detroit who is age 50 or older
- Employees of the City of Detroit or city-related agencies who are working from their regular job site (Employees working from home are not eligible at this time)
- Paid and unpaid persons in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials working in Detroit
- Members of the city’s disabled community
Vaccinations will still be administered by appointment only. Workers and residents will not be vaccinated without having first made an appointment. Individuals must call 313-230-0505 to schedule.
For greater efficiency and convenience, the city is recommending that when possible, eligible members of the same family or neighbors schedule jointly and arrive in the same vehicle. Group B essential workers will be required to provide the name of their employer and their most recent pay stub to verify their eligibility, the release added.
When they schedule their appointment, individuals receiving Pfizer or Moderna will be provided two appointment dates, one for the first dose and another for the required second dose. Call center staff will contact each scheduled person before their second appointment to remind them. Individuals also will be provided specific instructions on when and where to arrive at the TCF Center, where they will be required to fill out a basic consent form.
After receiving their vaccination, individuals will be required to remain for approximately 15 minutes to make sure they are not experiencing any side effects. Medical staff will be on hand to assist any who may experience any side effects. Appointments should last approximately one hour once the person arrives for their appointment.
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