By Allison Donahue, Michigan Advance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded Michigan more than $90 million to expand COVID-19 vaccine programs.
Michigan has seen a surge of COVID-19 cases, even while vaccination efforts ramp up across the state.
As of Monday, the state reports 702,499 confirmed cases and 16,239 deaths. The state also reports that about 3 million people, 37% of the state’s population over 16, have gotten their first dose of the vaccine and 1.8 million people, 23%, have been fully vaccinated.
The funding from the CDC requires that 75% of the total funding must focus on specific programs and initiatives intended to increase vaccine access, acceptance and uptake among racial and ethnic minority communities, and 60% of the funding must go to support local health departments, community-based organizations and community health centers.
This funding to Michigan is part of $3 billion in funding that CDC has granted to 64 jurisdictions to bolster vaccine distribution, access and administration efforts.
“We are doing everything we can to expand access to vaccinations,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky. “Millions of Americans are getting vaccinated every day, but we need to ensure that we are reaching those in the communities hit hardest by this pandemic. This investment will support state and local health departments and community-based organizations as they work on the frontlines to increase vaccine access, acceptance, and uptake.”
In a statement Tuesday, the CDC said there are plans to award more funds nationwide to address inequities around COVID-19 relief and support.
The CDC announced that $250 million is planned to fund community-based organizations serving minority or underserved communities to support their COVID-19 outreach efforts, $2.25 billion to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity among high-risk and underserved populations and $300 million to jurisdictions for community health worker services to support COVID-19 prevention and control and address disparities in access to COVID-19 related services.
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