FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2020
MDHHS Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
MHA Contact: John Karasinski, 517-582-5097

LANSING, Mich. – Frontline health care workers at two Michigan hospitals today were the first people in the state to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Michigan-based Pfizer, and today’s initial vaccinations mark a historic milestone in the world’s unprecedented cooperative mission to control and end the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccinations at Michigan Medicine and Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital begin the journey toward the eventual safe full reopening of Michigan’s economy, schools and communities. Additional Michigan hospitals are expected to begin vaccinating health care staff later this week.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer thanked the state’s hospital and other health care workers for “tireless dedication, bravery and strength” in caring for the tens of thousands of residents who have fought the virus – and for being first-in-line for vaccinations.

“This is a great day for our families, frontline workers, small businesses, and Michigan as a whole. Here, in the state built on innovation and grit, a safe and effective COVID vaccine is being manufactured by Michigan workers at a Michigan business,” Governor Whitmer said. “Our frontline essential hospital workers have gone above and beyond to save lives – including stepping up today to receive vaccines. And we have residents across the state doing their part to eradicate the virus and keep our communities safe. Remember: it will take some time for the vaccine to be widely distributed to everyone. That’s why it’s so important that we all do our part by masking up, practicing safe social distancing, and avoiding indoor gatherings where the virus can easily spread from person to person. This is a historic day in Michigan. We will get through this together.”

In the face of the most massive vaccination effort our world has ever seen, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, expressed her confidence in the first approved COVID-19 vaccine.

“The significant impact of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented, worldwide collaboration among scientists, medical doctors, health and government officials, and manufacturers,” Khaldun said. “The arrival of this vaccine in Michigan signals that the end of this pandemic is near.  However, it will take several months before we are able to have enough vaccine to widely distribute it to the general population. Until then, and even for individuals who receive the vaccine, we should all be doing our part to slow the spread of this virus by wearing masks, avoiding large gatherings, and washing hands.”

Brian Peters, chief executive officer of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, said the medical, support and executive teams at the state’s hospitals have been on the frontlines treating COVID-19 patients from the start of the pandemic and now “stand proud and grateful to lead the state’s public health and economic recovery from a virus that has devastated far too many lives, families, businesses and communities.”

“As vaccinations start today with the health care heroes at hospitals statewide, Michigan is now on course to move out of the darkness of pandemic to economic and public health recovery,” Peters said.

In the coming days and weeks, vaccine doses will arrive at additional Michigan hospitals and other medical centers across the state. The first Michigan citizens to be vaccinated will be priority hospital and health care workers, and staff and residents of long-term care facilities.

Even with COVID-19 vaccinations starting in Michigan and worldwide, doctors urge everyone to continue to practice preventative measures such as properly wearing masks, social distancing and frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of the virus until the vast majority of people have been vaccinated.

People with questions about vaccines – including the COVID-19 vaccines – should consult a credible source with answers based on medical science. Sources for vaccine information based entirely on medical science include IVaccinate.org, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the CDC. A comprehensive set of questions and answers about COVID-19 can be found at Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

Michigan’s COVID-19 Vaccinations Begin: Video/Photos for Media

We will provide regular vaccination updates throughout the week to Michigan media, including photos and video of COVID-19 vaccinations being administered at hospitals across the state. Below are details about some of the first to be vaccinated today. Over the next two days, vaccines are expected to arrive and be administered at additional hospitals. Information will also be posted at MICareMatters.org.

Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital

Who: Marc McClelland, pulmonary and critical care physician, 46, Ada, Michigan
When: Vaccinated at 12:04 p.m.
Photo/video: Available upon request
Quote: “To me this is a day of hope.”
Media contact: Beth Cranson, 616-540-0813, [email protected]

Michigan Medicine

COVID-19 vaccines started arriving and being administered today at Michigan Medicine. Pictured are Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services alongside University of Michigan President Dr. Mark S. Schlissel.

December 14, 2020

Contact: Lynda Robinson, 313-348-8220

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today advised workers that unless Congress takes action, federal unemployment insurance (UI) programs provided under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will end on December 26, 2020.

The UIA estimates that the unemployment benefits of nearly 692,000 Michigan workers may be affected unless Congress acts swiftly to extend UI provisions under CARES. The federal legislation expanded UI to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to many workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including workers who are not ordinarily eligible for unemployment benefits, such as self-employed, independent contractors and gig economy workers. CARES also provided Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) which allowed an additional 13 weeks of benefits to those who exhausted their regular state claim and federal reimbursements for Work Share benefits.

Claimants receiving benefits under PUA (487,000 workers) or PEUC (205,000 workers) programs who have not exhausted all of their eligible benefit weeks, will not be paid benefits for any weeks after December 26.

“We’re hopeful that Congress will take action to protect access to critical unemployment assistance for Michigan workers whose jobs have been affected by COVID-19,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “Allowing these programs to expire is not only harmful to Michigan workers, but it would be devastating to Michigan’s economy.”

Michigan’s average weekly unemployment benefit is currently estimated at $319. The expiration of around 700,000 unemployment claims could result in over $220M that would not go into workers’ pockets or the state’s economy each week.

There is currently legislation pending in the State Legislature that would continue certain unemployment expansions but is unrelated to the CARES programs. The UIA is hopeful new state legislation will be passed this week.

If additional state or federal legislation is passed, updates about new or extended unemployment benefit programs will be posted on the UIA website at Michigan.gov/UIA.

Other state assistance programs are available for Michiganders who need assistance with making ends meet. Through the Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services MI Bridges program, claimants can apply for healthcare coverage, food and cash assistance, and more. MI Bridges also list helpful state and local resources.

Resources for jobseekers, including, training, workshops, access to job fairs and more are available through local Michigan Works! service centers. Call 800-285-WORKS or visit MichiganWorks.org.