Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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December 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2020
Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Statement on FDA's Approval for Safe, Effective Moderna Vaccine
LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Moderna's Emergency Use Authorization for the COVID-19 Vaccine:
"2020 has been a tough year, but thanks to the hardworking teams behind Pfizer and Moderna's safe, effective vaccines, there is hope on the horizon. This is good news for our families, our frontline workers, our educators, and our small business owners who have been hit hard by COVID-19. One of the most important things every adult should be doing now is planning for how they will get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. The Protect Michigan Commission that I announced this month will work around the clock to help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents. I want to remind everyone that we must not let our guard down. It will take time to widely distribute the vaccine, and we must all continue to do our part by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands frequently."
Governor Whitmer's Administration, spearheaded by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, has developed a vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes vulnerable populations, including health care workers on the front lines, however the Trump Administration has not taken action to ensure every state has their full allotment of vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Earlier today, the governor called on the Trump Administration to provide clarity, and said, "There are millions of Pfizer vaccines, many right here in Michigan, waiting to be shipped, but the federal government is slow walking getting the addresses to Pfizer. We have Michigan hospitals and nursing homes ready to administer the vaccine and the bottleneck is the White House, and they won't tell us why. Where are our doses? What's the hold up? When can we expect them?"
On December 10th, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 202-193 to create the Protect Michigan Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II; Former Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley; Chief Medical Executive and DHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun; Detroit Pistons player Blake Griffin; Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and C.S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health; SER Metro CEO Eva Dewaelsche; Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Health Director Soumit Pendharkar; Spectrum Health President & CEO Tina Freese-Decker; and Jamie Brown, Registered Nurse and member of the Michigan Nurses Association. The commission will consist of at least 50 members that will represent the great diversity of our state.
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