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Starting January 11, some frontline essential workers and anyone over the age of 65 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Wednesday. That’s a pivot from the CDC’s guidance, which recommends only allowing those over the age of 75 to be part of the next phase of vaccinations, along with frontline workers.
“The state is entering a new phase in our vaccinations,” Whitmer said. “By January 11th, all counties may begin vaccinating Michiganders who are 65 and up. This will include some essential workers who will also be vaccinated. Workers like our school and childcare staff, frontline local, state and federal first responders, and staff in our jails and prisons and shelters.”
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It was expected that people would gather for the Thanksgiving holiday and then COVID would spread. Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail says that spike in positive cases hasn’t appeared. She says some may see the leveling off as a reason to ignore safety measures, adding “for the people who disregarded all the rules and said I’m traveling anyway, I’m having my gathering anyway, they’re going to say see? That wasn’t a problem after all, so we’re going to do it again.”
Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail speaking with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.