City expands eligibility to anyone living or working in Detroit whose job requires them to report to their work site.

2021

City expands eligibility to anyone living or working in Detroit whose job requires them to report to their work site; anyone 16+ with disabilities or underlying medical conditions now eligible

  • Employers able to assemble 100+ workers at a time can request on-site vaccinations
  • Caregivers/Guardians of eligible 16+ year olds also now eligible
  • Senior Saturday eligibility expanded, now will be called Community Saturday

The City of Detroit has significantly expanded vaccine eligibility once more to include anyone ages 18 or older living or working in Detroit whose job requires them to report to their regular work site, Mayor Mike Duggan announced today.  Previously only certain categories of workers reporting to a job site, such as teachers, postal workers, food handlers and manufacturing employees, were eligible. Now eligibility has been extended to all onsite employees provided they live or work in the city, such as bank branch staff and other officer workers.

The Mayor said that any large employer able to line up at least 100 employees in advance can ask the Detroit Health Department to conduct on-site vaccinations, instead of having to travel to TCF.  Employers able to assemble large groups of more than 100 employees over the course of a day can call the Detroit Means Business call center at (844) 333-8249 to arrange a Health Department visit.  All others onsite workers now eligible should schedule their appointment by calling the city’s central vaccine scheduling number at 313-230-0505.

Age 16+ with disabilities and medical conditions

Eligibility also is being expanded to include any Detroit resident age 16 or older who has an intellectual or developmental disability or underlying medical condition outlined in prior expansions.  The expansion also includes these individuals’ caregivers and/or guardians.

It is important to note that only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for people age 16 and 17, while Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for individuals age 18 and older.  This means that appointments for eligible 16 and 17 year olds will be scheduled based on Pfizer availability.

“In two weeks, everyone over the age of 16 in Michigan will be eligible, but we felt it was important open up eligibility earlier to these important groups of workers and younger vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Duggan.

Johnson & Johnson

Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair said that the Detroit Health Department is still awaiting confirmation as to when it will receive its first shipment of Johnson & Johnson vaccines – which is expected in the next week – and how many it will receive.  Once it has that confirmation, the city will announce the date for launching its second mass vaccination site at the Northwest Activities Center, which the Mayor announced in his State of the City Address.  The new site is expected to launch by the end of the month.

“We look forward to receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccines so we can provide our residents another highly effective vaccine. Detroiters will now have the option to select which vaccine they receive and where they receive it,” said Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair.

Once the Northwest Activities Center date is announced, residents will schedule through the central scheduling number of 313-230-0505.

Senior Saturdays now “Community Saturdays”

The City of Detroit is expanding eligibility for its weekend Senior Saturday vaccination events, which will now be called Community Saturdays to reflect the broader eligibility.  In addition to any Detroiter age 50 or older, any Detroit resident age 18 or older who has to report to a work site in the city or outside the city, can schedule an appointment for Community Saturday events this weekend. The complete list of locations is:

  1. Greater Emmanuel COGIC at 19190 Schaefer
  2. New Providence Baptist at 18211 Plymouth
  3. Galilee Baptist Church at 5251 E. Outer Drive
  4. Great Faith Ministries International at 10735 Grand River at Oakman
  5. Grace Community Church at 21001 Moross Road (Second dose only)
  6. Kemeny Recreation Center at 2260 S. Fort Street (Second dose only)
  7. Fellowship Chapel at 7707 W. Outer Drive (Second dose only)
  8. Second Ebenezer Church at 14601 Dequindre (Second dose only)

The time for each Community Saturday location is 9 AM - 1 PM, except Fellowship Chapel, which will run from 9 AM - 2 PM, due to higher demand.  Up to 500 doses of the vaccine will be available at each location each day.   

$2 rides available

The City continues to schedule appointments for vaccinations at TCF Center, and is providing rides to TCF for just $2 to Detroiters who need transportation.  Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of an appointment.  If a wheelchair accessible vehicle is required, one will be provided. Eligible Detroiters can book an appointment by calling 313-230-0505.

The full list of eligible individuals who can schedule appointments at TCF now includes:

  • NEW: Anyone living or working in Detroit for an employer who requires them to report to a work site
  • NEW: Any Detroit resident age 16 or older with a disability or underlying medical condition, as well as their caregiver and/or guardian.
  • Any resident of the City of Detroit who is age 50 or older    
  • Employees of the City of Detroit or city-related agencies who are working from their regular job site (Employees working from home are not eligible at this time)
  • Paid and unpaid persons in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials working in Detroit
  • Members of the city’s disabled community

Scheduling details

Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only.  Workers and residents will not be vaccinated without having first made an appointment. Individuals must call 313-230-0505 to schedule.

For greater efficiency and convenience, the city is recommending that when possible, eligible members of the same family or neighbors schedule jointly and arrive in the same vehicle.  Group B essential workers will be required to provide the name of their employer and their most recent pay stub to verify their eligibility.

Second vaccination required

When they schedule their appointment, individuals receiving Pfizer or Moderna will be provided TWO appointment dates, one for the first dose and another for the required second dose.  Call center staff will contact each scheduled person prior to their second appointment to remind them.  Individuals also will be provided specific instructions on when and where to arrive to the TCF Center, where they will be required to fill out a basic consent form.

After receiving their vaccination, individuals will be required to remain for a period of approximately 15 minutes to make sure they are not experiencing any side effects.  Medical staff will be on hand to assist any who may experience any side effects.  Appointments should last approximately one hour once the person arrives for their appointment.