Michigan Hits 55% Vaccinations; In-Person Work to Resume

One down, three to go.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday the state had reached the first step of her four-step “MI Vacc to Normal” recovery plan, with 55% of Michiganders having reached their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The milestone means that in two weeks – May 24 – in-person work can resume across all employment sectors. Whitmer released a video on social media congratulating Michiganders for achieving this important step and encouraged others to get vaccinated to help us get back to normal.

“I am excited that 55% of Michiganders have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because it puts us one step closer to getting Vacc to Normal,” Whitmer said. “Everyone is eligible to get their safe, effective shots, and it’s on all of us to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. On May 24, we anticipate allowing a return to in-person work across all sectors, and as more Michiganders get vaccinated, we will continue lifting restrictions to get Vacc to Normal safely.”   

So far, Michigan has administered 4,455,395 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive, repeating a mantra she and the governor have espounded for months, called the vaccine the “most important tool we have” to reduce the spread of the virus.

“By getting shots in their arms as soon as possible, Michiganders can help end this pandemic as quickly as possible,” Khaldun said. “We urge all eligible Michigan residents to make an appointment or locate a walk-in vaccine clinic to get their vaccine as soon as they are able by visiting Vaccinefinder.”

The Vacc to Normal plan will use four vaccination-based milestones that, once achieved, will enable Michigan to take a step toward normalcy:

  • 55% of Michiganders, plus two weeks: Allows in-person work for all sectors of business.
  • 60% of Michiganders, plus two weeks: Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%; increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%; increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%; lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
  • 65% of Michiganders, plus two weeks: lifts all indoor capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties; further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
  • 70% of Michiganders, plus two weeks: Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.

While the state still leads the nation in new coronavirus cases, Michigan’s COVID-19 infection rates have been falling the last few weeks following a surge the previous couple of months.

The state reported 18,248 cases last week, its lowest in seven weeks. The number of adults hospitalized with the virus is likewise falling, down 36% over the last couple of weeks, according to statistics kept by the state.

To learn more about the ‘MI Vacc to Normal Plan’ and vaccine rollout, visit www.michigan.gov/covidvaccine to view the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.