Protect Michigan Commission
Weekly Newsletter
August 24, 2021
Governor Whitmer & Dr. Khaldun on Full FDA Approval of Michigan-Manufactured Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun issued the following statements after the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. To date, over 5.4 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered in Michigan and 65% of Michiganders have gotten at least their first dose of one of the three safe, effective vaccines. From January to July of 2021, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for a staggering 98% of COVID cases, 95% of hospitalizations, and 96% of deaths.
“Today, the FDA granted full approval to Pfizer’s safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured right here in Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “The FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine has already saved countless lives in Michigan and around the world, so if you have already gotten your shots, thank you for doing your part to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. If you still have not, I hope today’s announcement encourages you to get your FDA-approved vaccine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have more questions and get your free shot soon. The FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine can protect you against COVID-19 and keep you out of the hospital if you get sick. If we all do our part to protect ourselves and the people we love from COVID, we can continue our economic jumpstart and usher in a new era of prosperity for our great state.”
“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is an exciting milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Michiganders can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety and effectiveness as required of approved products by the FDA,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “While more than 5.2 million Michigan residents 16 and older have already received their first dose, we recognize that for some the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. We urge all eligible Michiganders to get vaccinated as soon as they are able. Visit VaccineFinder.org to find a vaccine.”
'MI Shot to Win' Sweepstakes Winners Announced
Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was joined by leaders of the Protect Michigan Commission and Michigan Education Trust to announce all remaining winners in the MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes, a lottery-style raffle that gave fully vaccinated Michiganders a chance to win more than $5 million in cash and a combined total of nearly $500,000 in college scholarships.
The sweepstakes helped increase the state’s vaccination rates from 61% to 63%, supporting the climb toward the state’s goal of a 70% vaccination rate. Michigan’s vaccination rate now exceeds 65%, according to state’s most recent data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.
Over that same July time span, more than 2.4 million Michiganders signed up to win cash prizes and over 106,000 Michiganders entered to win scholarships. The media coverage from the sweepstakes also generated more than $7 million in free publicity about the importance of getting one of the three safe and effective vaccinates.
The MI Shot To Win Sweepstakes giveaway featured $5 million in total prizes, including 30 daily prizes of $50,000, a $1 million prize and a $2 million grand prize. For those receiving vaccines ages 12 to 17, there were nine four-year college scholarships. Each scholarship drawing prize consists of a four-year Michigan Education Trust (MET) Charitable Tuition Program contract (valued at $55,000) that may be used to pay for tuition and mandatory fees at a college or university in accordance with MET terms and conditions.
Michigan’s sweepstakes giveaway was powered by Meijer in partnership with the Michigan Association of United Ways and the State of Michigan. The statewide vaccine sweepstakes is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Association of State Universities, Small Business Association of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Protect Michigan Commission and many more organizations.
Detroit pastors, funeral home director share stories of loss and lonely goodbyes
Detroit pastors and a funeral home director share stories of devastating losses and lonely goodbyes in new COVID-19 television spots launching this week from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Protect Michigan Commission The spots are part of the state’s “My Why” series featuring Michiganders and their reasons for getting vaccinated.
The COVID-19 pandemic initially hit Detroit hard, with many pastors losing dozens of church members to the virus and struggling with how to comfort families without the opportunity to gather as a community and reflect on lives lost.
“I’ve had people in my church die in the hospital without their loved ones, in isolation, by themselves,” said Rev. Horace Sheffield III, pastor at New Destiny Christian Fellowship.
“It was devastating — we had to limit it to five to 10 people in the beginning,” said Joseph Hutchison, owner of Hutchison Funeral Home. “I’ve had families come back still not being able to believe that their loved one has passed away.”
Faith leaders have played a crucial role in convincing people to get vaccinated, from personal conversations with parishioners to hosting vaccination clinics at their churches.
More than 5.2 million Michiganders 16 years of age and older — 64.8% of Michiganders — have safely received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Unvaccinated individuals make up the majority of the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. Between Jan. 15 and July 21, 95% of Michigan’s 11,494 COVID-19 hospitalizations and 95% of COVID-19 deaths were among people who were not vaccinated or not fully vaccinated, according to MDHHS data.
PMC Meeting Last Week
Last week PMC met to discuss community vaccine initiatives and to get an update vaccine and COVID data in Michigan. The presentation is available to watch on the Protect Michigan Commission website.
Upcoming Clinics
This week our mobile clinic teams will be setting up shop at Grand Valley State University, Ferris State, churches, community centers, Dollar General stores and even a food truck rally in Saginaw. See the full list of clinics and and request a clinic for your organization's event. Our teams will also be at the Neighborhood Testing Sites below.
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