Detroit Begins COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts, Prioritizing Frontline Workers and Vulnerable Residents

The city of Detroit has taken a significant step in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing the distribution of its first 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine to its frontline health workers, residents, and staff at assisted living facilities. The vaccine rollout is part of the city's effort to prioritize those most at risk and demonstrate confidence in the safety of the vaccine, with Mayor Mike Duggan and other city officials voluntarily receiving the Pfizer vaccine today.

Key Takeaways:

• The city has received its first shipment of 2,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which will be used to vaccinate frontline health workers, residents, and staff at assisted living facilities.
• The first wave of eligible city employees, healthcare workers, and vulnerable residents will begin receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations starting tomorrow.
• Fire and EMS medical responders will start receiving vaccinations on Wednesday through a partnership with Henry Ford Health System.
• The city's plan is to vaccinate up to 5,000 residents per day over a period of several months to reach a majority of the adult population in Detroit.
• The vaccine rollout is part of the state's plan, focusing on four phases: healthcare workers, medical and frontline workers, elderly and vulnerable residents, and finally the general population.
• The city has scheduled a series of vaccination dates for various groups, including home health care workers, nursing home staff and residents, and other long-term care facilities.
• Mayor Duggan has emphasized that taking the vaccine is voluntary and entirely up to the individual, and that the city wants to assure the public of the vaccine's safety.

Statistics:

• 2,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine received by the city of Detroit
• 5,000 residents per day expected to be vaccinated over a period of several months
• 1,100 medical responders in the Detroit Fire Department to receive Pfizer vaccinations through an occupational health partnership between the city and Henry Ford Health System
• 400 personnel from the Detroit Fire Department have expressed interest in taking the vaccine
• 4 phases in the state's plan for distributing the vaccine
• 3 levels of priority in phase 1a of the state's plan
• 47 fire companies in the city, with each scheduled for vaccination
• December 23: Health Department vaccination team, 30 staff
• December 28-30: Home Health Agencies, 450 staff
• January 4-8: Nursing Home(s) not registered with CVS/Walgreens, 166 staff and residents
• January 8-Feb 1: Other long term care facilities and senior buildings

Sources:

• City of Detroit
• Mayor Mike Duggan
• Henry Ford Health System (HFHS)
• State of Michigan