COVID vaccine first-dose appointments expected to delay due to shortage, Michigan officials say
Michigan didnโt receive the amount of COVID vaccines expected from the federal government, leading the state to take some of the first-dose allocation and shift it to those already scheduled for their second dose. The decision means that some people who have a first-dose appointment set for next week may be delayed. โMDHHS with assistance from MING queried local health departments and hospitals regarding need for second dose vaccines. We are addressing any shortages in second doses in the orders we are placing for shipment next week. Pfizer expects to have 20 million of those new doses ready to roll out by March.
Pfizer hopes to cut manufacturing time in half to speed up COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Pfizer said it takes about 110 days to produce a batch of the COVID-19 vaccine. Jacobsโ mother lives on her own and works to stay active. READ: Meijer to vaccinate 25K Michigan seniorsREAD: Feds give Michigan $8.3 million for COVID vaccine distribution supportAdโHer friends that are in assisted living have gotten first dosages. I donโt want her to be another statistic because she dies from COVID because she couldnโt get the vaccine,โ Jacobs added. READ: Meijer to launch COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Michigan stores: What to know
White House COVID Response Team plans to use Defense Production Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. โ The Biden administration announced it plans to use the Defense Production Act to assist in the battle against coronavirus. The Defense Production Act was also used by the Trump administration early in the pandemic to increase the production of ventilators. During a Friday press conference, the White House COVID Response Team revealed details about how the act will be used to aid in three key areas. He said the Defense Production Act will be used to prioritize getting critical supplies for Pfizer, including more filling pumps. The act will also be used to help six suppliers make at-home and point-of-care COVID tests.
Tips on getting a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in Michigan
Many people have expressed frustration with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Michigan, as well as setting up an appointment. Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdNeal lives in Southfield but is a teacher in Detroit. Teachers are eligible to get vaccinated, so she called Detroitโs COVID-19 vaccination scheduling center (313-230-0505) and things moved quickly. โThey emailed my sister and I and let us know that she had the ability to sign up for a vaccination,โ Ogeltree said. In the city of Detroit, eligible residents can call to sign up for an appointment at the TCF Center.