Detroit To Triple Weekly Vaccinations, Expands Eligibility

DETROIT — The city of Detroit plans on nearly tripling its number of weekly vaccinations for the coronavirus, announcing Thursday that it also was expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to any residents 65 and older.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on Thursday said that the city's expansion of vaccine eligibility and the uptick in expected weekly vaccinations comes as the administrations of President Joe Biden and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledge 15,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses this week — up from the 5,100 doses the city was receiving previously.

“I am deeply appreciative to Gov. Whitmer’s and President Biden’s administration for committing to a near tripling of our vaccine shipments,” Duggan said Thursday. “We currently have 10,000 Detroiters scheduled over the next four weeks and these extra doses will allow us to open up appointments to thousands more who have been waiting for the opportunity to be vaccinated.”

The city announced Thursday that any Detroit resident age 65 or older can call to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the TCF Center.

Initially, access to vaccinations in Detroit for residents was limited to those ages 75 or older. However, Duggan said the current call volume for scheduling requests is allowing the city to lower the threshold for a third time to those 65 years of age or older, which is the youngest possible under the current state guidelines.

Part of the city’s additional vaccine allotment will be used to expand the Detroit Health Department’s efforts to vaccinate the city’s most vulnerable populations by visiting homeless shelters and senior citizen buildings, officials said. Currently, the city’s allotment of vaccines has allowed Health Department staff to visit two facilities per day to vaccinate about 560 people per week. With the increased allotment, the health department will be able to visit three to four facilities per day and vaccinate up to 1,000 residents and staff per week, officials said.

The health department also will start visiting other congregate settings operated by the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, such as mental health facilities, substance abuse recovery centers and other supportive housing units, the city announced Thursday.

How to schedule an appointment

Eligible Detroit residents seeking an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine can call (313) 230-0505 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday to make an appointment. Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only.