Michigan Says Ford Field Will Serve As Mass Vaccination Site

Michigan is making strides in its efforts to administer COVID-19 vaccines to its citizens amid the ongoing pandemic, according to an announcement from the state.

With an additional 6,000 daily vaccines for the next eight weeks, Michigan announced that Detroit’s Ford Field will serve as a mass vaccination site. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, thanks to a federal government pilot program, according to a press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.

“The safe and effective vaccine is the best way to protect Michiganders and their families, and it is essential to getting our country back to normal, so that we can all hug our loved ones, get back to work, and send our kids to school safely,” Whitmer said in the release. “Over one million Michiganders of all races have already been safely vaccinated, and this site will help us to reach our goal of equitably vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders who are 16 years or older more quickly. Ramping up vaccine distribution will also help our economy recover faster and help save our small businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Let’s get to work, and let’s get it done.” 

Michigan has tracked more than 607,000 total confirmed cases as of Saturday (March 13), the latest data available. Nearly 98,000 of those cases come from Wayne County.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan urged citizens to get the vaccine “so our lives and our economy can return to normal,” he said in the release. He dubbed the new, FEMA-operated vaccination site a “significant step.”

Vaccine administrations at the Ford Field site will be based on the Social Vulnerability Index, the release reads. That means officials will give the vaccine to the most vulnerable populations. It will not come at a cost to Michigan residents.

“This mass vaccination site will accelerate Michigan’s efforts to reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “I am grateful to President Biden and FEMA for selecting Michigan for this site and urge Michiganders to make an appointment to receive their vaccine when it becomes available. The COVID-19 vaccine is our way to defeat the virus and return to normalcy.”

Those eligible for the vaccine can register for an appointment, and watch for reservations available at Ford Field.

Photo: Getty Images