Michigan expands vaccine eligibility to 50+

NILES, Mich. -- Michigan announced Wednesday that those 50 and older are now eligible for the vaccine.

This comes just two days after certain workers in the food processing and agriculture industries officially became eligible for their shots.

Providers will start vaccinating those with disabilities, medical conditions or who are caregivers on Monday, March 8.

Then, two weeks later -

“Starting March 22, that group expands even further to all adults over the age of 50 regardless of if they have an underlying medical condition,” said Gillian Conrad, MPH, Communications Manager at the Berrien County Health Department.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is aiming to stay on track with its goal of immunizing 70% of the population, or 5.6 million Michiganders, by the end of 2021.

Which means tweaking their priority list along the way.

“While the CDC does make recommendations to the state as far as who goes first, second and third, each state is allowed to make their own prioritization,” said Conrad.

The Berrien County Health Department met Wednesday afternoon to discuss the most efficient way to add this group of people in, and there’s some important things for you to remember.

“We continue to work down the waitlist of individuals over 65,” said Conrad. "There are other vaccine providers in our area, including Spectrum Health Lakeland, Meijer Pharmacy in Benton Township and Rite Aid pharmacies across the county.”

More than half of Berrien County residents over 65 have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.

The health department encourages everyone now eligible to sign up for their newsletter which will have the latest information on when they can make an appointment.