Battle Creek Times

The week of Monday, Jan. 11, Michigan health care centers and clinics will start to administer COVID-19 vaccines to residents aged 65 years and older, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan.

Whitmer also claims the state has an excellent vaccination program, despite Michigan being listed as one of the worst states in the nation in terms of numbers vaccines administered, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, only six other states are ranked worse than Michigan. 

“I think it's fair to say no one in this country is pleased with the speed of vaccinations,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical officer, told Bridge Michigan. 

Khaldun also said the speed at which individuals are getting vaccinated in the state is "absolutely concerning." But with senior citizens now eligible to be vaccinated, this does show progress. Other residents who will now be eligible to receive vaccinations include frontline workers who weren't in the first group of eligible residents, such as law enforcement officers, corrections officers, agricultural workers and grocery store employees.

Whitmer asks that Michiganders register before going to receive a vaccination to help increase order and safety. 

“We don't want to see people standing in lines. We don't want to see people jeopardizing their health like we've seen in other states, and that's why it's important to make sure that you've made an appointment before you head out to get your vaccine,” Whitmer said, Bridge Michigan reported. 

"What’s important now is to ramp up production and distribution of the authorized vaccines so that everyone who wants to get vaccinated can do so," Mark Hornbeck, a spokesman for AARP of Michigan, told Bridge Michigan.

Those who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov or contact their local health department to see when and where appointments will be available.