MARQUETTE — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials announced Friday that the state is expanding its vaccination eligibility for residents age 16 and up with disabilities or medical conditions beginning on March 22.

In addition, the state also announced that all Michiganders age 16 and up who weren’t previously eligible to receive a vaccine will now be eligible beginning on Monday, April 5.

The announcement comes shortly after a recent eligibility update that included people age 50 and up with medical conditions or disabilities and caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs. These groups became eligible last Monday. All Michiganders age 50 and up will also become eligible on March 22.

“The safe COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way to protect you, your family and others from the virus,” Whitmer said in a news release. “It will help the country get back to normal and help the economy. Nearly 1 million Michiganders of all races have already been safely vaccinated. I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. It is essential to getting our country back to normal, so that we can all hug our families, get back to work, go to restaurants, send our kids to school, play sports and get together again. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing and avoid large indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person. We will eliminate this virus together.”

As of Friday, over 2.7 million doses of vaccine have been administered statewide, according to the state’s Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health at MDHHS Dr. Joneigh Khaldun.

“Over 2.7 million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccines have been administered in Michigan, and we are well on our way to vaccinating 70% of Michiganders age 16 and up,” she said. “We are pleased to lay out our plan for when every Michigander age 16 and up will be able to get a vaccine. We will continue to focus our efforts on removing barriers to access for our most vulnerable to exposure and those at highest risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. These vaccines are the way we are going to end this pandemic and I urge Michiganders to make a plan to get your vaccine when you are eligible.”

Several leaders who work with disability groups across the state were pleased to hear that Michiganders with disabilities are now eligible to receive a vaccine.

“The governor’s action to expand eligibility has the potential to protect over a million Michiganders with disabilities, we couldn’t be more appreciative,” said Dessa Cosma, executive director of Detroit Disability Power. “This would not have been possible without the actions of dozens of disability rights organizations across the state and we are ready as a resource for accessible implementation and delivery.”

“This is welcome news,” added Michelle Roberts, executive director of Disability Rights Michigan. “Since the vaccine rollout in Michigan started, we have pushed for all people with disabilities to be higher up on the vaccine priority list. It can really be a matter of life or death.”

Vaccine providers are still encouraged to schedule appointments and allocate vaccinations to residents based on highest risk. This includes older residents, essential workers and frontline workers. The most up-to-date vaccine prioritization guidelines can be found on Michigan’s COVID-19 website at www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.

The state said all vaccine providers may begin vaccinating the new priority group of ages 16-49 with medical conditions or disabilities by March 22. MDHHS is accelerating vaccination of these individuals due to concern around disparity in life expectancy and in an effort to remove barriers to vaccine access, according to the news release.

Eligibility to all Michiganders age 16 and up beginning on April 5 comes as a result of the state’s anticipated vaccine allocation, along with President Joe Biden’s directive to have all American adults become eligible by May 1.

Those eligible to receive a vaccine should check the website of their local health department or hospital to find out their process or to find registration forms. Folks can also check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies like Meijer, Rite Aid or Cardinal Health. Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 and pressing 1. The hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can also call 2-1-1.

It’s important to note that while vaccine supply is increasing, a limited allocation remains, meaning a waitlist for available appointments may still be necessary in your area.

For more information on vaccines, visit www.michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.

≤ LMAS begins pre-registration for individuals 16 and up

The Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department announced Friday that any resident in its four-county jurisdiction age 16 and up can be added to a vaccine waitlist as of Thursday, according to a news release.

LMAS said that those with medical conditions will be prioritized, and appointments will begin to be scheduled next week. All previous priority groups can still be scheduled as well.

To get on a waitlist or schedule an appointment, visit LMASDHD.org and click on the appropriate waitlist button. Those receiving their vaccine through Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital can call 906-341-3775.

If you or a relative needs assistance in scheduling or getting on a waitlist in any of these counties, you can call the LMASDHD offices Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Alger County, dial 906-387-2297. For Luce County, dial 906-293-5107, and for Mackinac County, dial 906-643-1100. You may also reach LMASDHD via Facebook Messenger by visiting www.facebook.com/LMASDHD.

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.