Today, Governor Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for MDHHS announced that Michigan is entering the next phase for COVID-19 vaccinations, which means that beginning this coming Monday, January 11, educators who have face-to-face contact with students will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Other groups that were included in today's announcement were Michiganders age 65 and older; frontline essential workers including police officers, first responders, frontline state and federal workers and jail and prison staff; and childcare providers.

Local health departments will coordinate vaccinations with school districts and other employers to identify eligible employees and schedule them for vaccinations. Eligible essential workers, educators and childcare workers will be notified by their employers about vaccine clinic dates and locations. Seniors age 65 and older are urged to visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine to find local health departments and other local vaccine clinics near them that are ready to book appointments. Eligible individuals should not go to any of the clinics without an appointment.

It is important to note that because there is limited vaccine available in the state, there will be limited appointments available. As more vaccines become available, the state will be able to move more quickly through the priority groups.

There will be no out-of-pocket costs to individuals for the vaccine, however, healthcare providers may bill insurance for administrative costs. The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks depending on the manufacturer. Michiganders should receive both doses in order to have full protection from the virus. Individuals who receive the vaccine may experience mild side effects such as low-grade fever, sore arm and general discomfort, which indicate that the vaccine is working. There is a robust state and national process for tracking vaccines and reporting side effects.

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. As additional information and resources become available, it will be posted to this site.

MASSP Statement on Today's Announcement

In response to today's announcement that the state will begin offering vaccinations for preK-12 educators, beginning Monday, January 11, Wendy Zdeb, executive director of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals released the following statement:

"Principals, teachers, and other educators have been on the front lines during this pandemic, not just educating students, but providing meals, tracking down students who are not participating at school, and helping support families in their community. While we still need to be vigilant about wearing masks, practicing good hygiene, and maintaining social distance, providing educators with access to COVID-19 vaccinations will not only protect them and their students as they continue this work, it moves us one step closer to being able to safely reopen all schools in our state for in-person instruction. We appreciate the continued leadership of Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services."