In December 2020, the first Pfizer COVID vaccines arrived in the Upper Peninsula. LMAS District Health Department along with Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Mackinac Straits Health System, Munising Memorial Hospital and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital had plans in place to begin vaccinating the Phase 1A priority groups – health care workers.
Long term care facilities – workers and residents – are also in 1A, but have been or will be served by CVS and Walgreens pharmacies through a contract with the State of Michigan. Shortly after the Pfizer vaccines arrived, supplies of the Moderna vaccine also were shipped to our region.
As our counties and the Upper Peninsula wrap-up Phase 1A, we have received permission from the State of Michigan to move into Phase 1B which now includes persons 65 and older who do not live in congregate care settings, along with critical infrastructure workers such as fire, law enforcement, school employees, daycare workers, utilities, and other workers necessary to keep society functioning. Expanded vaccination can begin on Monday, January 11, 2021, but will vary by hospital and vaccination supply.
We know you have many questions about the process, when it will be your turn, and how will you be notified. If you are in a critical infrastructure/essential worker role, your communication will come through your employer. If you are a person age 65 or over (or you have a family member in that category), please pay close attention to updates through local radio, newspapers, social media to learn how you can schedule an appointment in your county.
Unfortunately, we cannot give you exact timelines right now due to staffing resources, and uncertainties about vaccine supplies at any particular time. The good news is there is hope with the vaccinations, and in recent weeks with a slowing of new cases with the Michigan’s pause in certain activities.
So, there is hope, but this is not the time to let down your guard. The small things we’ve been asking you to do for months need to continue to prevent excessive burden on our hospitals, but we need your help by choosing to do these things: wear a clean cloth face mask which covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and others, avoid gatherings with people not in your immediate household, and stay home when you don’t feel well. These small things are most effective when we all do them.
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