Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hedshot
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

With the federal government’s approval for additional COVID-19 vaccine doses for the immunocompromised, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive last week to fast-track those additional doses for long-term care residents.

“Now that we know an additional shot of vaccine can boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19, I am directing state departments and agencies to move as quickly as possible to administer booster shots to vulnerable individuals in long-term care facilities and state correctional facilities within the state,” Whitmer wrote in a Friday executive directive

The directive calls for providing a third dose of the Pfizer–BioNTech or Moderna vaccine to all eligible residents of homes for the aged and adult foster care (including assisted living), nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, and state correctional facilities.

“Throughout the pandemic, our top priority has been protecting those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19,” Whitmer tweeted on Friday. “It’s important that we continue to prioritize these Michiganders by rushing additional vaccine doses to those who need them most.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved the use of an additional dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines for individuals 12 and older who have compromised immune systems. 

The MDHHS is working on communicating with long-term care facilities regarding third dose vaccines for residents. 

Colorado also is coordinating with existing vaccination contractors and local public health departments to help long-term care facilities vaccinate moderately to severely immunocompromised residents.