The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with 26 colleges and universities to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to college students in underserved communities.
The state’s local health departments will receive nearly 16,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that will be administered to students before the end of the academic year.
The colleges and universities taking part include the University of Michigan, Adrian College, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Andrews College, and Davenport University.
“Vaccinating this group of the population right now makes a lot of sense,” Northern Michigan University President Fritz Erickson said. The vaccine will help to ensure the safety of students nearing the end of the academic year who are preparing to travel back home or take on new jobs.
Starting April 14, MDHHS will also begin expanding mobile vaccine clinics to underserved communities in Detroit and Hamtramck. These clinics will sign up local residents for mass vaccination, administering up to 500 doses per day on site.
“Given the rise in cases and hospitalizations, now more than ever, it is important to bring the vaccine where people are, right in their neighborhood,” chief public health officer at MDHHS Denise Fair told ABC12 News.
To find a vaccination site in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.