Detroit Nears 700 Good Neighbor Vaccine Appointments Since Wednesday Expansion

Press release from The City of Detroit:

Nearly 700 "Good Neighbors" have schedule appointments to get vaccinated at TCF and bring an eligible Detroiter with them since the city announced an expansion of the program two days ago to include Good Neighbors age 55 or older.

Chief Operating Officer Hakim Berry said that the call center has been receiving hundreds of calls from Good Neighbors each day since Wednesday's announcement.

"The Good Neighbor program is proving to be incredibly popular and we are grateful to all of the individuals who have stepped up to make sure Detroit seniors are able to get to TCF to receive their vaccination," said Berry. "Detroit is a city where neighbors look out for neighbors and this is another great example of that at a time we all need each other the most."

Under the Good Neighbor program, any area resident age 55 or older can be vaccinated at the TCF Center if they schedule an appointment with a Detroiter age 60 or older.

Chronic condition no longer a requirement

Berry also announced that having chronic medical conditions is no longer a requirement for a Detroit resident age 60 and older to schedule a vaccine appointment. Previously, anyone age 60-64 was only eligible if they also had a chronic medical condition that made them more at risk of COVID.

As of this morning, the City had administered 82,000 doses, nearly half of them to senior citizens age 60 and older with another 50,000 additional appointments already scheduled.

Eligible residents can call 313-230-0505 to schedule their appointment for the TCF Center or any of the four Senior Saturdays locations.

Senior Saturday events for tomorrow and beyond

Vaccinations will take place from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the following locations.

• Grace Community Church at 21001 Moross Road. 2/27, 3/6, 3/13 and 3/20 (New)
• Kemeny Recreation Center at 2260 S. Fort Street. 2/27, 3/6, 3/13 and 3/20 (New)
• Fellowship Chapel at 7707 W. Outer Drive. 2/27 and 3/6
• Second Ebenezer Church at 14601 Dequindre. 2/27 and 3/6

Up to 500 doses of the vaccine will be available at both of the new locations for the next four Saturdays, as well as at the original Senior Saturday locations of Second Ebenezer and Fellowship Chapel, which will be held again on February 27 and March 6. The added locations will double the City’s Senior Saturday outreach to 2,000 doses each weekend.

$2 rides available

The City continues to schedule appointments for vaccinations at TCF Center, and is providing rides to TCF for just $2 to Detroiters who need transportation. Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment. If a wheelchair accessible vehicle is required, one will be provided. Eligible Detroiters can book an appointment by calling 313-230-0505.

The full list of eligible individuals who can schedule appointments at TCF now includes:

• Good Neighbors age 55 or older, regardless of residency, if they drive an eligible Detroiter age 60 or older. Appointments must be made at the same time.
• Detroit residents who are 60 or older
• Food service workers, including grocery store, restaurant, meat packing and food and beverage handling employees living or working in Detroit
• Security guards and janitors living or working in Detroit
• K-12 teachers and support staff and day care workers
• U.S. Post Office employees who live or work in Detroit
• Employees of the City of Detroit or City-related agencies who are working from their regular job site (Employees working from home are not eligible at this time
• State and Federal law enforcement working in Detroit
• Members of the clergy interacting with members of their congregation
• Funeral home/mortuary employees working in Detroit
• Paid and unpaid persons in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials working in Detroit
• Members of the city’s disabled community
• Home health care workers living in Detroit

Scheduling details

Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only. Workers and residents will not be vaccinated without having first made an appointment. Individuals must call 313-230-0505 to schedule.

Grocery store and security guard employees scheduling appointments will be required to provide their name, residence address and age. For greater efficiency and convenience, the city is recommending that when possible, eligible members of the same family or neighbors schedule jointly and arrive in the same vehicle. Group B essential workers will be required to provide the name of their employer and their most recent pay stub to verify their eligibility.

Second vaccination required

When they schedule their appointment, individuals will be provided TWO appointment dates, one for the first dose and another for the required second dose. Call center staff will contact each scheduled person prior to their second appointment to remind them. Individuals also will be provided specific instructions on when and where to arrive to the TCF Center, where they will be required to fill out a basic consent form.

After receiving their vaccination, individuals will be required to remain in their vehicles inside the TCF garage for a period of approximately 15 minutes to make sure they are not experiencing any side effects. Medical staff will be on hand to assist any who may experience any side effects. Appointments should last approximately one hour once the person enters the TCF garage.

This press release was produced by the City of Detroit. The views expressed here are the author’s own.