The COVID-19 vaccine is beginning to arrive in the Upper Peninsula and is expected to start being distributed this week. The current vaccine authorized for emergency use is the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. This vaccine will be first distributed to groups in the highest priority category as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as vaccine supply is limited. The priority group consists of:
- Healthcare personnel
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- skilled nursing facilities staff and residents
The Emergency Use Authorization only allows providers to vaccinate people who are 16 years of age and older.
The Federal Government has entered into a contract with CVS and Walgreens pharmacies to provide vaccine in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, adult foster care homes, residential living facilities and other group homes. Pharmacies will contact those facilities directly to facilitate vaccination of their staff and residents.
It is anticipated that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will be authorized for emergency use and become available in the very near future to help increase access to the vaccine. With additional vaccine available, additional priority groups will be offered the vaccine.
The Upper Peninsula anticipates receiving additional vaccine allocations on a weekly basis. As supply and demand allows, the vaccination process will continue. Vaccine availability will be limited to the highest risk individuals in the first several months of distribution. It is projected that vaccine will be available to the general public starting in spring 2021. Additional information will be released by the health department when large-scale vaccination is set to begin.
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