LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun testified before the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee about Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, federal needs, and the state’s work to expedite the administration of vaccines without compromising equity.
As of Monday, February 1, Michigan has administered more than 1 million total of first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
“Since the emergence of COVID-19 just over a year ago the world has eagerly awaited a vaccine that could help to end this unprecedented pandemic,” Khaldun said. “Now, with two safe and effective vaccines and additional vaccines on the horizon, Michigan is working to distribute the vaccine quickly, efficiently and equitably to residents across the state. Like many other states, Michigan’s single biggest challenge with the vaccine rollout has been the limited supply of vaccine available week to week and the lack of a national federal strategy until now. Despite this, Michigan has made significant strides in implementing our vaccination strategy.”
Khaldun outlined the comprehensive vaccination strategy the state has launched, which centers around the following goals:
- 70% of Michiganders age 16 and up vaccinated as quickly as possible.
- 90% of received vaccines are administered within 7 days.
- 95% of people get their second dose of vaccine within the expected time frame.
- No disparity exists in vaccination rates across racial and ethnic groups or by social vulnerability index.
- No one has to drive more than 20 minutes to reach a vaccination site.
Dr. Khaldun testified to the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee alongside physicians and public health experts from Illinois, West Virginia, Louisiana and Colorado as part of a hearing entitled, “No Time to Lose: Solutions to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in the States”.
“COVID-19 has wrought unimaginable death and destruction throughout the world. In the past 12 months, more than 2 million people have died from COVID-19, including more than 14,600 people in Michigan,” Khaldun said. “However, science has prevailed. We have two safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available today with another likely coming in the weeks ahead. While these vaccines were developed in less than a year, they were built upon decades of scientific research. To develop a vaccine, rigorously test it and bring it to market in less than a year is an incredible feat that should be celebrated. I am proud of the work of our state and local health departments and health care systems who have worked tirelessly to deliver vaccines while also fighting to bring down the curve. We must ensure every person in America that wants a vaccine can quickly and equitably receive one. We can end this pandemic, but it will require cooperation, hard work, transparency and dedication from each and every one of us.”
A copy of Dr. Khaldun’s full testimony is available on the MDHHS website.
