Detroit is taking its campaign to vaccinate residents against COVID-19 to more places in the city.
The city is opening up “Community Saturdays” at eight sites, mostly churches. Previously, these Saturday clinics were open only to seniors. Now, they’re also open to any adult Detroiter who has a job that requires in-person work.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says it’s part of an effort to reach the zip codes hit hardest by the pandemic, and people who don’t have easy access to the TCF Center mass vaccination site.
“We are at a point now where we can break the back of COVID once and for all with the vaccination effort, or we can continue to let this linger,” Duggan said. “I really think this city can be completely open again by this summer, but we have to get out and get our vaccinations.”
“There are tragic consequences for those who don’t get them. And this is going to continue to be the case,” he said.
Detroit has also expanded eligibility at TCF Center. Now, any Detroit resident 16 or older with a documented medical condition or disability can get vaccinated there.
Detroit has administered almost 165,000 COVID vaccine doses. But the city continues to lag behind the state and its suburbs when it comes to vaccination coverage. Just over 15% of city residents have received at least one shot, among the lowest rates of any place in the state.
