On April 5, all Michigan residents age 16 and up will be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. People 16 and older that have a medical condition or disability, which places them at a higher risk to contract the virus, were eligible for the vaccine on March 22.

President Joe Biden pledged that anyone 16 and above would be able to be vaccinated if they choose by May 1. With Michigan’s announcement to open up vaccines to 16+, Biden followed through with his pledge. 

Vaccine providers should continue to schedule appointments based on the risk level of contracting covid-19. Although more residents are eligible, it may take many weeks before an appointment will be available.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has a goal for Michigan of getting 70 percent of residents over 16 vaccinated to reach herd immunity.

“The safe COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way to protect you, your family and others from the virus,” said Whitmer.

Whitmer is encouraging everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine.

“I urge all eligible Michiganders to get one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. It is essential to getting our country back to normal, so that we can all hug our families, get back to work, go to restaurants, send our kids to school, play sports and get together again”, Whitmer stated.

Until Michigan reaches the vaccination goal, people are generally encouraged to continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing to control the spread.