The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has provided additional information about COVID-19 vaccination plans in the state, including priority groups for vaccination administration, the vaccine development and safety process and where Michiganders can find more details.

Michigan health officials have set a goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders 18 years of age or older, about 5.4 million adults, by the end of 2021.

MDHHS is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for prioritization of distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommendations are based on input from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, made up of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on the use of vaccines in the United States. MDHHS also has obtained input from Michigan public health and health care leaders.

The vaccine will be distributed in phases, with an emphasis on both ensuring the continuing functioning of the health care system and essential services in the community and protecting people at increased risk for severe illness. These prioritizations may change as more information on vaccine effectiveness and additional vaccination products become available.

The phases are:

— Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.

— Phase 1B includes some workers in essential and critical industries, including those with unique skill sets such as non-hospital or non-public health laboratories and mortuary services.

— Phase 1C includes people at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions, and people 65 years and older.

— Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all adults.

MDHHS has provided additional prioritization guidance within these categories. It is important to note that vaccination in one phase may not be complete before vaccination in another phase begins. Vaccination in these phases likely will overlap. The timing of the start of a vaccination phase is dependent on guidance from CDC and ACIP, the supply of vaccine from the manufacturer, how the vaccine is allocated to Michigan and the capacity to administer the vaccine to populations.

Vaccine distribution will roll out over a series of weeks, and current estimates are that by late spring 2021 enough vaccine will be available for everyone who is recommended to receive it. A variety of partners will be engaged in the distribution and administration process, including hospitals, pharmacies, local health departments, EMS providers and outpatient clinics. The Michigan National Guard also will support vaccination efforts in some settings.

Individuals will face no out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine; however, health care 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 fatigue, which indicate the vaccine is working. There is a robust state and national process for tracking vaccines and reporting side effects.

MDHHS stresses residents should continue to wear masks, social distance from those not in their household and wash their hands often, even after receiving the vaccine.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said it is important to note that while scientists worldwide are working to develop a COVID-19 vaccine faster than any vaccine before, they still are following proven practices. “The process for approval of a COVID-19 vaccine is scientifically sound, and no steps have been skipped,” Khaldun said.

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