The city of Detroit is boosting its COVID-19 vaccination efforts to ensure eligible Detroiters can have access to a COVID-19 vaccine with broader outreach efforts in the senior citizen community. During a press conference today, Mayor Mike Duggan, staff members, and local spiritual leaders discussed the efforts, along with a new program that offers low-cost and free transportation to TCF Center for those who need a ride to their appointment.
“We want to make sure those who feel shut in and forgotten we haven’t forgotten about you,” Duggan said during the press conference.
Starting this weekend, the Detroit Health Department will partner with two of the city’s largest churches to hold weekly “Senior Saturday” vaccination fairs exclusively for Detroit residents ages 65 and older:
- Fellowship Chapel will hold its first fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 13 at 7707 Outer Dr. W, Detroit, MI 48235.
- Second Ebenezer will hold its event from 1-5 p.m. this Saturday, February 13 at 14601 Dequindre St, Detroit, MI 48212.
The events at both churches will repeat each Saturday on February 20 & 27 and March 5. Up to 500 vaccinations will be scheduled at each location, each day. Eligible residents can call 313-230-0505 to schedule their appointment at either church.
Duggan said that he plans to make sure that every Detroiter who is eligible to receive a vaccination can access it. He also said he plans to expand to additional locations to reach seniors in southwest Detroit and the east side starting next week.
“We have vaccinated more than 9,000 Detroiters ages 65 and older, but it’s very important that we reach as many as we can as quickly as we can,” said Duggan. “Thanks to our partnerships with Rev. Anthony and Bishop Vann, we will be able to reach another 4,000 seniors over the next month, in addition to those we already will be vaccinating at TCF.”
Duggan also announced that starting today, individuals scheduling appointments for vaccination at TCF Center will have the opportunity to get a ride to the site for $2, (or free if they are unable to pay), if they lack their transportation. The service is similar to the one the city provided for COVID-19 testing at the State Fairgrounds, according to a press release.
There is no eligibility requirement to obtain a ride, other than to be a Detroit resident and to be picked- up from a Detroit address. Rides can be scheduled as part of the process of setting up a vaccination appointment at TCF by calling the scheduling number at 313-230-0505. Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment. If a wheelchair accessible vehicle is required, one will be provided.
“No one should miss being vaccinated due to lack of transportation,” said Duggan. “Our goal is to have the most accessible vaccine program in the country, just as we had the most accessible testing program in the county.”
Duggan also announced today a partnership with the two Meijer locations in the city, which is prepared to start offering vaccinations to its staff and eligible customers. The retail chain currently has a waiting list of 3,300 customers who are residents of the city of Detroit. It’s not clear whether all of those individuals still need a vaccination, or if some have been vaccinated at TCF or another location.
“This week we will be providing Meijer with 2,500 of our doses so they can begin contacting the people on their waiting list and administering them in the next few days,” said Mayor Duggan. “If they still have a list of eligible people who need vaccinating beyond those initial doses, we will be able to provide them with additional ones.”
The full list of eligible individuals who can schedule appointments at TCF now includes:
- Food Service Workers, including grocery store, restaurant, meatpacking, and food and beverage handling employees living or working in Detroit
- Security guards and janitors living or working in Detroit
- Any resident of the city of Detroit who is age 65 or older (born in 1955 or before)
- K-12 teachers and support staff and daycare workers
- Post Office employees who live or work in Detroit
- 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)
- State and Federal Law enforcement working in Detroit
- Members of the clergy interacting with members of their congregation
- Funeral home/mortuary employees working in Detroit
- 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
As of today, the city has received 54,550 vaccine doses (15,000 of which were delivered Monday) and as of the end of the day, Monday had administered 32,579, according to a press release. That includes more than 9,100 residents over the age of 65 and “Good Neighbor” drivers, 2,251 health care providers, 2,700 first responders, 3,000 teachers, and school staff, and 13,500 other eligible individuals.
Daily updated numbers are now available on a public dashboard accessible, along with detailed information on the TCF testing site, at www.detroitmi.gov.
Eligible residents and employees can call 313-230-0505 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday-Friday to make an appointment.
Vaccinations will 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.
Grocery store and security guard employees scheduling appointments will be required to provide their name, residence address, and age. 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 press release added.
When they schedule their appointment, individuals 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.
Denise Fair, chief public health officer, Detroit Health Department at the City of Detroit, said during the press conference that Black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and are two-thirds more likely to get COVID-19 and die from it.
She added that two cases of the new COVID-19 variant are in Detroit and she encourages people to wear their masks, maintain social distancing, and get vaccinated at the appropriate time.
To learn more about the vaccine visit detroitmi.gov/health.
The Rev. Wendell Anthony, Fellowship Chapel pastor, said that he is glad to be a part of “saving lives” and he looks forward to receiving his second vaccine dose later this month.
“We are pleased about it and I encourage people to participate,” he said, adding that African Americans and other minorities should take advantage of receiving the vaccine and be inspired by leading Black doctors on the frontlines of curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. “Tuskegee was about the vaccinations we did not get … We are getting the antidotes to this disease. … I want to live and I hope you do, too. See you at the vaccine center.”
Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer pastor, said that he is glad to use his influence and leadership in getting people vaccinated, especially seniors. He added that he has several health issues but he received the vaccine and is fine.
“We want to put a stop to this COVID crisis and chaos that has taken our community by storm … it’s our opportunity and privilege to open up our churches … to make sure there is no excuse. You’ll have access … let’s live,” he said.
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