Health

Nearly 370,000 Covid shots given in Michigan so far -- 44% of state supply

January 14, 2021, 8:00 PM by  Alan Stamm

(Graphic: Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services)

This Tuesday article is updated with new figures.

In week five of the campaign to protect every adult who wants Covid vaccines, 368,844 shots have been given (including some second doses). Millions more await appointments and availability of the precious vials.

Though demand still vastly exceeds supplies, advances are visible in a data update Thursday evening. In the six days since last Friday, 141,545 first- and second-stage vaccines have been administered statewide -- more than 38 percent of all those given since Dec. 14.

Eligibility expanded this week to those over 65 and essential workers. The state health department has received or awaits delivery of 831,150 doses, according to its Covid-19 Vaccine Dashboard. It allocated 245,100 of those to nursing homes and other longterm care facilities, where 52,744 employees and residents had been vaccinated through Tuesday. 


Covid vaccine vials at Beaumont Health

After 27,092 shots Wednesday, over 217,000 doses remained in the state for use by local health agencies, hospitals, pharmacies, tribal clinics, home health providers and physicians' offices. Only 44% of vaccines sent to Michigan so far were administered though Wednesday, the database shows.

More are coming, particularly now that the national Operation Warp Speed will stop stockpiling supplies from Pfizer and Moderna as a reserve for required second doses. Michigan began administering "booster shots" Jan. 1.

"Because we now have a consistent pace of production, we can now ship all of the doses that had been held in physical reserve," federal Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday in Washington. Starting in two weeks, vaccines will be distributed based on each state's population of residents over 65 and by the pace of vaccine administration. "We need doses going to where they'll be administered quickly and where they'll protect the most vulnerable," Azar told reporters.

In Michigan, the tricounty Detroit region has received 188,250 doses and vaccinated 116,000 people through Wednesday.

Oakland has received more doses -- 81,725 -- than any other Michigan County. Its residents have received 50,293 Covid shots, including second doses.

The latest state figures show only 5,606 Detroiters got shots in the arm through Wednesday, a number that will rise now that drive-through lanes are open at TCF Center.

The city health department plans to give 20,000 shots by appointment over the next four weeks to age-qualified seniors and city bus drivers, police officers and other municipal workers. Call (313) 230-0505 for an appointment.

For Detroiters under 75 and not in an essential city job, free vaccines eventually will be available at pharmacies and other sites.

Here's how many doses have been allocated to local health departments and administered through Monday, according to the state:

Detroit: 47,925 doses distributed | 5,605 shots given

Wayne County (excluding city): 24,075 doses 34,635 shots

Oakland: 81,725 doses | 50,293 shots

Macomb: 34,525 doses 25,464 shots



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