Michigan could get COVID-19 vaccine to general public by late spring, officials say

The State of Michigan is actively working on plans to distribute and store a COVID-19 vaccine.

State expects to see rise in COVID-19 cases 2-3 weeks after Thanksgiving.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said that there are 48 hospitals and 12 local health departments that have the freezer capabilities to be able to receive and administer the Pfizer vaccine.

For the Moderna vaccine, there are more than 100 hospitals and health departments across the state that can store and distribute it.

According to the state, they are working with all of the sites to make sure they have what they need, as the vaccine will be available in very limited quantities at first.

Related:

• Gov. Whitmer warns next couple of months will be 'hard' for Michiganders The state's first priority, according to Khaldun, will be to keep healthcare systems operating. That means the first vaccines will likely go to frontline healthcare workers, EMS workers, and other workers in ICUS and emergency departments. Metro Detroit counties prepare for COVID-19 vaccine According to Khaldun, that could come in the next two weeks, as the FDA may give emergency-use authorization to one or both vaccines. The next step, the state said, would be to get the vaccine out to congregate care facilities and resident care facilities. They hope that could happen by January. Vaccinations will continue to expand to other types of critical health care workers, as well as educators and those who are at severe risk of infection or serious complications from COVID-19. Finally, according to the state, the hope is to have the vaccine available to the general public by late spring. Each of these vaccines will require two doses for immunity.