CORRECTED: Protect Michigan Commission Weekly Newsletter 4.20.2021

Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services sent this bulletin at 04/20/2021 10:12 AM EDT

Protect Michigan Commission Weekly Newsletter

April 20, 2021

The following email corrects the 'Vaccines by the numbers' data graphic under 'In case you missed it'.

This week we’re featuring the efforts of Protect Michigan Commission’s Tribal Workgroup that is a collective of Tribal Health Directors and staff from Michigan's 12 federally recognized tribes and American Indian Health and Family Services in Wayne County.

“Our Tribal Focus Group is working diligently to create culturally appropriate patient education material to decrease vaccine hesitancy and empower our Tribal Citizens to become vaccinated. It is through this process that we continue to protect the next Seven Generations.” said Workgroup Chair Sadie Valliere.

The workgroup is collectively supporting all 12 of the tribes and the Indian Health and Family Services as they work to vaccinate their citizens both inside and out side of their respective service territories. The workgroup is working to help each tribe and Urban Indian Health Center develop communications strategies tailored to their population, and throughout their tribal facilities and programs.

Just last week the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians hosted a vaccination clinic in Lansing (see the coverage by the Lansing State Journal and WILX Channel 10). Later this week, another larger clinic will be held in Troy by the federal Indian Health Services along with American Indian Health and Family Services, with support from MDHHS.

COVID-19 Updates

PMC's April Meeting will take place this Friday, April 23 from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The meeting video and presentations will be available later in the day on our website.

The Protect Michigan Commission is hosting a series of regional conversations with community leaders and healthcare experts about the COVID-19 vaccine. Workgroup members participated in these discussions to promote receiving the vaccine. Listen to and share the first two conversations with your networks here:

Vaccine Town Hall Discussions

This past week both the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and the First Ladies of faith based organizations held town halls about the COVID-19 vaccine, answering questions about its safety and importance.

With more town halls planned, these conversations are more important than ever as all of Michigan is now eligible and vaccine hesitancy is impacting appointment scheduling. Please share these conversations with your networks.

Take Action: Click, Save, Share

Below are important updates to share with your networks. Please use the images to the right and text below to share on your social channels.

Mask Up Reminder

The numbers are going up. We know wearing a mask is our best strategy for keeping infection rates down for COVID-19. So help end this pandemic and mask up until more people are vaccinated. Michigan.gov/MaskUp.

Clinic Alert

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is hosting a vaccination clinic on April 26 from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at the Lakeside Mall Drive-Thru, formerly Sears Auto, located at 14100 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights, MI, 48313. Patrons will receive the Moderna vaccine and will require a follow-up appointment for a second dose. Vaccines will be available free of charge for those who register in advance for a time slot by calling 1-800-MICH-VET and choosing option 6.

In case you missed it

*Graphics corrected

MDHHS extended the Gatherings and Mask epidemic order. The Order – which preserves the strongest public health order in the Midwest – is designed to balance day-to-day activities while controlling the spread of COVID-19 and saving Michiganders’ lives. It includes expansion of mask requirements to children ages 2 to 4 to further protect the state’s residents.

The vaccine pilot program delivered more than 43,000 doses to the most vulnerable Michiganders.

PMC appointee Amber Bellazaire shares why the vaccine is important to her

New survey says 8 in 10 Michigan teachers are fully vaccinated.

More than 43,000 of Michigan’s most vulnerable vaccinated as part of vaccine pilot program.

Workgroup Meetings This Week

Wednesday, April 21

12 p.m. - Faith Workgroup

2 p.m. - Local Government Workgroup

4 p.m. - Middle Eastern Workgroup

Thursday, April 22

9 a.m. - Rural Workgroup

Friday, April 23

9 a.m. - Protect Michigan Commission meeting

1 p.m. - Disability Workgroup

If you'd like to join one of these or a different workgroup from our list, please email ProtectMICommission@michigan.gov.

Additional Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

Vaccination data will be updated Monday - Saturday from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).

COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Guidance

This guidance outlines the strategy for vaccine prioritization for the State of Michigan and will be used by MDHHS, as well as public health and health care, as they allocate and administer vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. The information in this document will change frequently as we learn more about COVID-19 vaccines.

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