Protect Michigan Commission Weekly Newsletter
March 23, 2021
Recognizing that Michigan residents have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, Michigan is hosting the next in a series of community town halls. The March event will focus on older adults, as they are currently eligible to receive the vaccine.
This virtual discussion will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 25. This builds upon the previous town halls with faith-based leaders and communities of color, about the safety, efficacy and importance of the COVID-19 vaccines for safely reopening Michigan.
Moderated by Dr. Alexis Travis, PhD, senior deputy director of the Aging and Adult Services Agency within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the panel also will feature:
- Zaneta Adams, Director, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
- Maureen Taylor, Chair, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization
- Rev. Horace Sheffield, Pastor, Detroit’s New Destiny Christian Fellowship
- Dr. Brenda Surae Eaton, MD
- Mark Hornbeck, AARP Michigan
- Dr. Herbert Smitherman, MD, Detroit Receiving Hospital
The goal of the town hall series is to address the safety and efficacy of the vaccine by answering questions within vulnerable communities. The vaccine distribution plan has prioritized older adults as the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. This is why vaccine distribution guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that adults 65 years and older be one of the first groups to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
Ahead of the discussion, attendees are encouraged to submit their questions for the town hall about the COVID-19 vaccine. Any questions that cannot be answered during the town halls due to time constraints, will be reviewed and added to the State of Michigan COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions.
In the coming months, Michigan will host additional town halls in partnership with public health and community leaders. Events are live streamed at Facebook.com/MichiganHHS.
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