Adolescent Vaccines Begin, New 'Shots in Arms' Partnership

Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccinations Authorized

Doctors and state and national public health leaders today urged Michigan parents to get their 12- to 15-year-old children vaccinated with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, authorized for emergency use in this age group on Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended yesterday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Approximately 498,000 12- to 15-year-olds in Michigan are now eligible for vaccinations, according to state census data. Parents can find a vaccination site by visiting Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine or calling 2-1-1. Vaccinations will be available at many locations statewide by appointment or walk-in starting today.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, pediatrician and director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, and co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission, had her 12- and 15-year-old daughters vaccinated on camera during the press event. “They’ve been literally jumping up and down in excitement over being able to get this vaccine,” said Dr. Hanna-Attisha. “As a parent, it’s a relief to know that with these vaccinations today, they are on their way to being protected.”

Dr. Hanna-Attisha also emphasized that while most children and teens with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, the virus can be serious for some, especially those with certain underlying conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

“During the recent surge in Michigan, we saw a marked increase in serious pediatric COVID cases requiring hospitalization,” said Dr. Hanna-Attisha.

Children age 10 to 19 make up 12.6% of total cases in Michigan since March 2020, with more than 102,000 cases statewide (county-by-county breakdown of confirmed COVID-19 cases in 0 to 15-year-olds available here). There have been more than 1,300 COVID-related hospitalizations in children under the age of 18 in Michigan since August 2020.

Watch today's event here to learn more about the adolescent COVID-19 vaccine.

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PMC Partnership with SBAM and MRLA to get 'Shots in Arms'

The first 400 Detroit-area restaurant, hospitality and retail workers who receive COVID-19 vaccinations from 2-7 p.m. Friday (May 14) at Clark Park in southwest Detroit can get a free $25 Visa gift card as part of a new statewide “shots in arms” incentive campaign announced today by leaders of Gov. Whitmer’s Protect Michigan Commission, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA).

The vaccination clinic for Detroit-area restaurant, hospitality and retail workers is from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 14 at Clark Park, 1130 Clark St., Detroit.  

• Walk-Ins are welcome, so no appointment is necessary.
• Transportation, Spanish-language interpreters and wheelchair-accessible accommodations are available if needed. For information, call the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) at 866-962-5515.
• Proof of health insurance is not required.
• Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer doses are available.
• The City of Detroit Health Department will administer the vaccines Friday.
  • For questions, contact the City of Detroit’s Covid-19 Hotline (313) 876-4000 and the Detroit Health Department COVID-19: dhdoutbreak@detroitmi.gov
• Friday’s Detroit event is cosponsored by the Mexican Hubbard Communities Main Street Program, Southwest Detroit Business Association, Clark Park Coalition Detroit, West Vernon and Springwells Business Improvement District, the City of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

The partnership will be coming to additional cities in the coming weeks including Lansing, Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City and Marquette.