The Michigan National Guard received a request from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to support community healthcare organizations with logistical and medical assets for COVID-19 vaccinations across the state.

 

The Guard will first staff approximately 50 COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Teams that will report to four hospital locations deemed priority by the state of Michigan as early as Tuesday, December 15.

 

The first priority of allocated vaccines in Michigan will be to front-line health care workers and to residents and staff of long-term health facilities. After that, MDHHS plan to expand vaccinations to essential workers and those people who are at high-risk for severe COVID-19 illnesses.

 

The National Guard has been integrated into the state’s emergency response to the pandemic since Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced its activation on March 18.  Across the state of Michigan, the National Guard also continues to support COVID-19 testing and assisting at local food banks. There are currently several hundred Michigan National Guard members supporting these missions. COVID-19 vaccination support by the guard is expected to continue into Spring 2021.