FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 26, 2021

Contact: [email protected]   

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive Expediting Distribution of Vaccines to Protect Younger Michiganders 

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today issued an executive directive to state departments and agencies to expedite the ordering and distribution of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric coronavirus vaccinations to protect younger Michiganders between the ages of 5 to 11 years old and ensure that students could continue in-person learning in a safe environment this year.

“Today, we’re taking action to keep our kids safe from COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer. “The Michigan-made Pfizer vaccine is safe, effective, free, and expected to be approved for Michiganders between 5 and 11 years old. This is a game-changer for our kids that will protect them as they continue to learn in-person in the classroom this school year, participate in extracurricular activities, or see friends and family this holiday season. My directive today ensures equitable, expedited distribution of the vaccines. Parents should sign up to protect their kids.”

On October 26, the Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met to discuss emergency use authorization of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine for children. After this meeting, the VRBPAC will issue their recommendation to the Center for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which is scheduled to meet Nov. 2-3 to review data and recommendations. ACIP is anticipated to issue a recommendation, which will go to CDC for final approval of the emergency use authorization.

Based on data provided by Pfizer, the vaccine was shown to be nearly 91% effective during the trial at preventing symptomatic disease from COVID-19 in the age group.

“Being able to vaccinate children ages 5-11 with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine brings us hope and also an opportunity to urge all eligible Michiganders to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “We know these vaccines work. Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, and now 825,000 children in our state are now eligible to be protected.”

The executive directive expedites the administration of pediatric vaccinations by:

The directive also requires the State of Michigan to regularly report the proportion of children ages 5 to 11 who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. To date, nearly 69% of Michiganders 16 years or older and 66.9% of Michiganders 12 years or older have received at least their first dose of one of the three safe, effective vaccines.

“Throughout the pandemic we have taken every possible measure to keep Michiganders safe,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Being able to protect our children is a critical and exciting development in our efforts to end this pandemic. It is important that children get vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

From January to October, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for 93.1% of COVID cases, 90.7% of hospitalizations and 90.5% of deaths.

“Vaccinating kids and teens against COVID will protect their health, allow them to re-engage more safely in activities they’ve missed out on this past year, and protect more vulnerable classmates and family members,” said Dr. Matthew Hornik, DO, President of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatricians (MIAAP). “Pediatricians are the immunization experts, remain at the forefront of care for children, and pediatricians are available to discuss questions and concerns with the families they know and trust.”

The State of Michigan has pre-ordered 287,700 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric coronavirus vaccine to ensure a supply is quickly available when approval is granted.

Under similar executive orders signed by Governor Whitmer, the state of Michigan has prioritized booster doses for residents in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and adult foster care, and has been working to expedite delivery of third doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to residents who have compromised immune systems.

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

COVID-19 vaccine locations can be found at Vaccines.gov.

To view the full executive directive, click the link below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 25, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Announces New Leadership to Cabinet and State Agencies

   The state of Michigan welcomes new directors at UIA and DTMB, and names chief information officer

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a new appointment to lead the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) and named an acting director to the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). The governor also designated a new chief information officer to lead the state’s information technology (IT) efforts. These positions fill key leadership roles within the Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration with individuals who have decades of experience serving in high-level positions in state government.

“I am thrilled to have three qualified, skilled public servants join my administration to continue putting Michiganders first and get things done that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Julia, Michelle, and Laura bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and will help us continue to stay laser-focused on growing the economy, creating good-paying jobs, and making progress on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to families, communities, and small businesses.”

Julia Dale, Director of UIA

Julia Dale will transition to director of the UIA from her position at DTMB. Julia most recently served as an assistant attorney general and Section Head of Business and Charities Section in the Office of the Attorney General and previously worked in various high-level roles at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Julia received her J.D. at Wayne State University and her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University.

“Julia will hit the ground running and I am proud to have a permanent director leading the way at UIA,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Under her leadership, I am confident that UIA will clear the backlog, tackle waste, fraud, and abuse, and get people the resources they need while saving taxpayer dollars.”

“I am honored to continue serving my fellow Michiganders at the UIA,” said Julia Dale. “As we emerge from the pandemic, there is so much work to do to ensure that we can deliver benefits to families who need them and I cannot wait to pursue long overdue changes and work with the incredible staff to get things done.”

Liza Estlund Olson, who currently serves as acting director, will remain at UIA temporarily to help with the transition before returning to her previous role as director at the Office of the State Employer.

Michelle Lange, Acting Director of DTMB

Michelle Lange will serve as acting director at DTMB. She has held key leadership positions within DTMB in recent years, including chief deputy director, director of Executive Direction and Operations, chief of staff to the director, and as the department legislative liaison. Lange has worked under both Democratic and Republican governors, serving for Governor Whitmer under the chief operating officer and for Governor Rick Snyder as deputy director of Legislative Affairs. She also served as a judge on the Michigan Tax Tribunal and spent 12 years as a staff member in the Michigan Senate. Lange has both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.

“Michelle has served in several high-level roles at DTMB and will continue moving the department forward as we work to find a permanent director,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Her decades of experience working across the aisle will help her steward the department and support state government as we stay laser-focused on growing our economy and putting more Michiganders on paths to prosperity.”

“DTMB is an outstanding organization of experienced and dedicated professionals who work to help, connect, and solve the issues of the day, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead the team,” said Michelle Lange. “I am committed to continuing to provide top-notch administrative services to state departments, ensuring they can keep getting the job done for all Michiganders. Michigan’s families, communities, and small business are counting on us.”

The State of Michigan will conduct a nationwide search to select a permanent DTMB director.

Laura Clark, Chief Information Officer

Laura Clark will take the helm as the state’s chief information officer (CIO), directing the state’s technology and digital security efforts. Laura currently holds the position of chief security officer and will retain those duties. She has served in various leadership positions within government for more than 20 years, leading IT services, strategies, and systems. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in geography from Michigan State University.

“Laura’s leadership plays a key role in keeping state employees safe online and helps them focus on getting things done for families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I am thrilled to have her perspective and expertise so we can continue delivering for Michiganders.”

“Technology is paramount to delivering government services and I am committed to advancing innovative and safe solutions that reach all residents and businesses,” said Laura Clark. “Michiganders deserve a government focused on delivering for them, and I am excited for the opportunity to make that a reality.”