Gov. Whitmer – State has administered over one million COVID-19 vaccines

LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the State of Michigan has administered over one million safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, making it the seventh in the country in vaccine distribution. The governor called on the Michigan Legislature once again to pass the MI COVID Relief Plan she announced last week.

The governor’s plan will appropriate $90 million in federal funding to ramp up vaccine distribution in Michigan and bring the state closer to the governor’s goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day.

“Michigan is ramping up vaccine distribution and doing everything we can to reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day. Reaching this milestone is good news for our families, frontline workers, and small business owners, but there is more work to do,” Governor Whitmer said in a statement. “My administration is working closely with the federal government to help us get the supply we need to reach our goal and return to the normalcy we all crave. I ask for patience from Michiganders as our frontline workers work around the clock to administer vaccines. I am also ready to work with the Michigan Legislature in a bipartisan way to pass the MI COVID Relief plan focused on vaccine distribution, supporting small businesses, and getting our kids back in school safely. Ending this pandemic requires that we put partisanship aside and roll up our sleeves together. Let’s get to work.”

State health officials are weighing in.

“The state has been hard at work administering the safe and effective COVID vaccine, and we have made great strides over the past several weeks,” Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said in a statement. “One of the most important things Michiganders can do right now is to make a plan to get the safe and effective vaccine when it becomes available to you. The state and our partners in health care and business will continue working day and night to reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day. And until we end the pandemic, remember to mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where the virus can spread easily from person to person.”

In December, Congress appropriated $90 million in additional resources for vaccine distribution in Michigan through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Whitmer says this plan will use this federal funding to ramp up vaccine distribution in Michigan.

Whitmer adds that this funding will help provide financial support to local health departments for vaccine administration costs, including staff augmentation, as well as provide equipment and supplies. Michigan will also receive $575 million to expand COVID testing, tracing, and lab capacity in Michigan.