PHOTOS: Gov. Whitmer Receives Safe, Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Booster

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

November 5, 2021                                                          

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov  

PHOTOS: Gov. Whitmer Receives Safe, Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Booster 

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today received her booster shot of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine at the recommendation of her physician at the Washtenaw County Health Department in Ypsilanti. The FDA has amended the emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines to allow for the use of a single booster dose for all three Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and J&J vaccines. 

"The three safe, effective vaccines continue to be our best shot at beating COVID-19," said Governor Whitmer. "I am getting my booster today per my doctor's recommendation to protect myself, my loved ones, and every person I come into contact with. I encourage every Michigander to talk to their doctor and see if a booster shot is right for them."  

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC's recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. 

"Thank you to Gov. Whitmer for doing her part and getting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine booster to keep herself, her loved ones and all Michiganders protected," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "This is also an opportunity to continue to encourage those eligible to get the booster as soon as possible." 

For individuals who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 primary vaccines, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at six months or more after their initial series: 

• 65 years and older. 
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings. 
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions. 
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings. 

People over age 18 who received a single dose of the J&J (Janssen) vaccine should receive a single J&J COVID-19 booster dose at least two months after completing their primary series. 

• The use of a single booster dose of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at least two months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older. 

Per CDC, occupations at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission include frontline essential workers and health care workers including: 

• First responders (EMS, health care workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff). 
• Education staff (teachers, support staff, daycare workers). 
• Food and agriculture workers. 
• Manufacturing workers. 
• Corrections workers. 
• U.S. Postal Service workers 
• Public transit workers. 
• Grocery store workers. 

"We were so pleased to welcome Gov. Whitmer to the Washtenaw County Health Department for her booster dose," said Jimena Loveluck, MSW, health officer for the Health Department. "Though COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available, local health departments are critical in ensuring vaccine accessibility for all. We are grateful for Gov. Whitmer's trust in our local health department and her example. Together we can protect ourselves and each other by getting vaccinated and layering up our prevention strategies, like masks and distance, when local transmission is elevated." 

Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose. Immunization records are available online at the Michigan Immunization Portal for many residents and can be downloaded and printed. To obtain their record, Michiganders must create a MILogin account at Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal and upload a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. There is no cost to access the portal. 

To date over 69% of Michiganders age 16 and up have gotten at least their first dose of one of the three safe, effective vaccines. From January to October 12, unvaccinated Michiganders accounted for 93.1% of COVID cases, 90.7% of hospitalizations and 90.5% of deaths. 

Michiganders can also receive their flu shot the same time as a booster dose.  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine. 

For more information about COVID-19 in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus. 

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