It Could Be October Before 'Regular' People Get Vaccine Shots

State of Michigan officials, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer say the general public may not be getting a Covid-19 vaccination until October because of the current lack of availability of those vaccines.

The Detroit News reports that Whitmer and the state's top medical official, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, announced a detailed plan on Friday, with the plans' goal of getting at least 70% of the state's population vaccinated. But both said today, much of this can't be accomplished until the federal government gets its act together and begins distributing vaccine to states like Michigan in a better way.

"I'm proud to say that we have the capacity right now to vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day in the state. Our biggest limitation really is the amount of vaccine coming to the state." - Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan's Chief Medical Executive.

The good news is, Dr. Khaldun says, is this timeline could significantly speed up if Michigan can get enough of the vaccine.

At today's briefing, it was announced Michigan's vaccine allocation for next week is approximately 62,400 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 90,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine. A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman, Lynn Sutfin, says 153,300 doses are less than a two-day supply if Michigan were to immunize 80,000 daily five days per week.

To facilitate more vaccinations, the state is also hoping to create regional vaccination sites, putting the vaccine within a twenty minute drive for any resident, and with one operating 24 hours per day, to accommodate those who work second and third shift.