Latinx Flint NEWS

By Alondra Rosas Ornelas | Latinx Flint Media

Covid-19 vaccination graphic.
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FLINT, Michigan- In efforts of achieving the goal of vaccinating 70% of people in the State of Michigan, aged 16 years and older, Governor Whitmer held a press conference on March 12th to discuss the expansions for the eligibility of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way to protect you, your family and others from the virus,” said Governor Whitmer. “It will help the country get back to normal and help the economy. Nearly one million Michiganders of all races have already been safely vaccinated. I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines.”
On March 22nd, any one 50 years old and up along with people who are 16 years old and up with disabilities and pre-existing conditions will be eligible to receive the vaccine. On April 5th, all people aged 16 years and older will be able to receive the vaccine, meaning that anyone who did not previously qualify for the Covid-19 vaccine will now be eligible.
People who qualify:
Medical conditions that place individuals at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 are eligible for vaccination and include: cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); Down syndrome; heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant; obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40 kg/m2 ); severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 ); pregnancy; sickle cell disease; smoking; and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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The following medical conditions might place an individual at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, and are therefore also eligible for vaccination: asthma (moderate-to-severe); cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain); cystic fibrosis; hypertension or high blood pressure; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant; immune deficiencies; HIV; use of corticosteroids or use of other immune weakening medicines; neurologic conditions, such as dementia; liver disease; overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2 , but < 30 kg/m2 ); pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues); thalassemia (a type of blood disorder); and Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
The MDHHS plans to vaccinate 5.6 million people by focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and equity. Vaccination will be available at a rapid rate because the MDHHS reduced the strictness of the eligibility rules for essential workers. Since 80% of the deaths occured in people aged 65 and older, vaccinating this population became a priority to prevent deaths. People with disabilities and underlying medical conditions will be prioritized.
Please visit michigan.gov/coronavirus for more information.
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