Michiganders in southeast Michigan can now register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Ford Field. The home of the Detroit Lions will open its doors to start administering vaccines March 24.
State and federal officials say the Ford Field site can give out up to 6,000 doses of vaccine per day. A technical problem caused a delay in the launch of the website where people can sign up, but it’s up and running now.
People in Southeast Michigan have three ways to sign up:
- Online at http://clinic.meijer.com/register/CL2021
- Text EndCOVID to 75049
- Call the MDHHS COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1) – phone lines are expected to be very busy
After registering people will eventually be contacted by text or phone when it’s their turn to schedule an appointment.
The Ford Field site will run from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days a week for eight weeks. To run the site, the State of Michigan is partnering with FEMA, Meijer, and southeast Michigan local governments and healthcare providers. Vaccines will be free and won’t require insurance. There will also be free parking at Ford Field according to a press release.
In its first three weeks, Ford Field will be offering doses of the Pfizer vaccine. People who receive vaccinations in that time will be guaranteed a second dose. The state is continuing to use the Social Vulnerability Index, a tool that considers several factors to determine the populations most vulnerable to COVID-19.
State officials say more than 24% of Michiganders age 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose. That’s more than 1.97 million people.
The state of Michigan is soon expanding eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines. Beginning March 22, all Michiganders ages 16 and older with certain medical conditions and disabilities will be eligible for a vaccine. All Michiganders ages 16 and up will be eligible on April 5. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stated goal is to vaccinate 70% of all Michiganders age 16 and up.
Vaccine availability and appointment scheduling information for vaccine-eligible residents can also be found at the state of Michigan’s COVID-19 Vaccine website.
FEMA says similar community vaccinations centers are due to open in Cleveland and Atlanta in the coming weeks as well. Agency spokesperson Cassie Ringsdorf says there are 18 federal community vaccination pilot sites that have been opened, as of today.
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