Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hedshot
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Credit: Michigan.gov)

In anticipation of next month’s federal rollout of COVID-19 booster doses, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) issued an executive directive Wednesday directing state agencies to prioritize long-term care facilities, including assisted living communities.

“With booster doses on the horizon, we are reactivating our close partnerships with local health departments and pharmacies to get shots in arms as quickly as possible,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We know that this virus still disproportionately affects older Michiganders, which is why I’m also prioritizing booster shots for residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.”

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approval of the use of an additional dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Department of Health and Human Services released its plan to roll out those booster shots. HHS said that booster shots will be offered as early as the week of Sept. 20 and that people will be eligible at the eight-month mark from their second dose (although that timeframe may change to six months, it was reported Wednesday). The third dose is expected to increase protection against the potential for waning effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization and death due to SARS-CoV-2.

“We are grateful that the governor is prioritizing residents of long-term care facilities in planning for booster shots,” Robert Stein, general counsel for the Michigan Assisted Living Association, said in a statement. “This decision reflects prudent public policy to support the health and well-being of older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Michigan.”

“It certainly makes sense to start in long-term care facilities, where the most vulnerable Michiganders reside,” AARP Michigan State Director Paula D. Cunningham said, adding that with the increasing effect of the delta variant, it’s important to do everything to protect and prioritize those residents.
Whitmer said that Michigan has an ample supply of vaccines to meet the projected demand for booster doses. The executive directive follows a similar directive issued last week instructing state departments and agencies to prioritize immunocompromised individuals in long-term care facilities and state correctional facilities.