Starting Monday, the City of Detroit will begin scheduling 20,000 COVID vaccination appointments at the TCF center over the next four weeks, based on anticipated supply of vaccines from the state during that time Mayor Mike Duggan announced today. Those vaccines will be available to Detroiters over the age of 75. Any “good neighbor” driver for a 75-year-old who accompanies them to the TCF center can also get vaccinated.
The Mayor also announced plans to ramp up its vaccinations of the city’s elderly and vulnerable populations, as well as its critical workers, such as police officers and bus drivers, the mayor said. Chief James Craig and Detroit Lieutenants and Sergeants Association President Mark Young, joined the Mayor at the announcement. All plan to receive their vaccinations on Friday.
“Just as Detroit was a national model for accessible and efficient testing, we expect to be a national model for distribution of the COVID vaccine,” said Mayor Duggan. “We are going to keep ramping up our vaccinations to the maximum extent the supply allows.”
Here is how Detroit’s three-step approach to expanding access to the vaccine will roll out:
TCF Center Activation. On Monday, the city will activate the call center for scheduling vaccination appointments at the TCF Center for age-eligible residents and essential workers. The first appointments will take place on Wednesday and can be scheduled by calling 313-230-0505 Monday-Friday from 9 AM until 6 PM.
City Essential Workers. Starting this Friday, Detroit police officers and DDOT bus drivers will begin being vaccinated on a strictly voluntary basis. Police officers will be vaccinated precinct-by-precinct at the Detroit Fire Department’s Walter Harris training facility after the end of their shift and will be paid one hour of straight time. DDOT personnel will be vaccinated at their respective DDOT terminal and also will be paid for one extra hour after their shift. Vaccinations for DDOT and DPD employees are expected to take about one week. After DPD and DDOT, other city departments providing essential services will be scheduled for employee vaccinations.
Senior Citizen buildings & homeless shelters. Tomorrow, the health department will vaccinate residents and staff at Boulevard Manor, the only nursing home in the city without an existing vaccination plan through a private provider. Starting next week, the Health Department, in partnership with Wayne State University medical, nursing and pharmacy students will begin vaccinating at 60 senior citizen buildings and 29 homeless shelters in the city. Staff will visit two senior buildings and one homeless shelter every day and expect to complete their work at all 89 facilities by the end of February.
“We know that congregate living can increase frequency of exposure to this virus, which is why we are prioritizing seniors and those experiencing homelessness by conducting vaccination outreach at these facilities across our city,” says Denise Fair, chief public health officer, Detroit Health Department. “This strategy is essential to the community’s overall health and I am committed to ensuring the COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all who want it, as it will be essential toward helping residents recover from this pandemic.”
Who is Eligible to receive the vaccine at TCF?
Any Detroit resident 75 and older
Any “good neighbor” 65 and older who drives a 75-year-old to TCF
Group B essential workers, including K-12 teachers and child care workers
How to schedule an appointment
Starting Monday, Detroit residents age 75 and older and their “good neighbor” drivers 65 and over, will be able to call 313-230-0505 starting Monday to schedule an appointment at the TCF center. The first appointments will take place on Wednesday.
Detailed information on the TCF testing site is available at www.detroitmi.gov. As additional independent vaccination sites at pharmacies and elsewhere come online in the city, a map of locations will be added to the website.
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