VACCINE DOSES

We’ve heard that COVID-19 vaccines are not mix and match and that both doses are needed from the same vaccine. But a study is underway in the United Kingdom to see if that might be possible or even preferable.

PONTIAC, Mich. – Oakland County announced on Wednesday that it has received 7,400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. “With the news that Merck is going to be joining with Johnson & Johnson to manufacture this one dose vaccine, this increased supply of vaccine will help accelerate the end to the pandemic,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. The county health division will schedule the doses once it receives that guidance. READ: Michigan to expand COVID-19 vaccine plan to include residents age 50 and olderAdREAD: COVID vaccine trials underway in older children: What to knowJohnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses arrive at Oakland County Health Division Wednesday, March, 3, 2021. (Jaime Fenner, Oakland County)“I am confident in the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine,” Oakland County Health Division Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust said, mentioning that the vaccine is safe and effective.

PORTAGE, Mich. – Friday was a big day for Michigan as President Joe Biden toured the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Portage. Biden witnessed firsthand the 1,300-acre manufacturing site with about 350 ultra-cold freezers holding millions of COVID vaccine doses getting boxed and sent out the door. READ: Biden outlines plan to ramp up US vaccine rollout while at Michigan Pfizer facilityAd“To highlight Portage, Michigan, where Pfizer vaccines are rolling, now we’ve been the epicenter of hope,” Whitmer said. “Every Michigander who wants a vaccine will get a vaccine,” she said. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the WHO, but Biden moved quickly after his inauguration last month to rejoin and confirmed that the U.S. would contribute to COVAX.

LANSING, Mich. – State health officials said Friday that Michigan has capacity to vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day but the supply of COVID-19 doses, while higher in recent weeks, remains limited. It “correlates extremely closely with the communities that were hardest hit by COVID-19 in the spring,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state health department. Read: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdThe city of Detroit, for instance, was an early hot spot. Gretchen Whitmer has targeted getting 50,000 shots into arms per day, Khaldun said 80,000 would be achievable with enough supply. Related: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say it’s not working