The massive coronavirus vaccination effort to immunize Michigan’s roughly 600,000 health care workers — and eventually the entire population — is in high gear as Pfizer’s vaccine candidate undergoes a federal hearing Thursday to review whether it can be safely injected into the arms of millions of Americans.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
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For COVID long-haulers, trouble lingers long after 'recovery'
Those who survive COVID-19 are often left with puzzling and sometimes debilitating conditions months after they are considered recovered from the infectious part of the disease.
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As COVID deaths rise again in Michigan, its victims are changing
Michigan is experiencing its highest levels of mortality since early in the pandemic. But COVID’s victims now are typically older and whiter.
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Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan COVID ‘pause’ will go at least 12 more days
The extension keeps bowling alleys, casinos and other businesses closed and bans indoor service at bars and restaurants while Whitmer again calls on the GOP Legislature for more unemployment aid and a mask mandate.
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As COVID vaccine nears, Michigan calibrates pitch to wary African Americans
State officials are reaching out to Black residents, who have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. While there is significant public skepticism toward a COVID vaccine, mistrust runs even deeper in the African-American community due to a legacy of mistreatment in government public health efforts.
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A small Upper Peninsula hospital pleads: You’re our neighbors, help us
The number of COVID hospitalizations across Michigan fell four days straight, teasing hope even as dozens of hospitals remain at or near capacity. It’s “not sustainable,” according to a state hospital association, asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to continue pandemic orders.
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Six things to know about the safety of the leading COVID vaccines
Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan chairs a national panel that will recommend whether to approve two vaccines for COVID-19 in the United States. He outlined what is known, and what isn’t, about the vaccines’ safety and reliability.
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Michigan Republicans grill state health chief on COVID shutdown orders
Robert Gordon, head of state public health, faced criticism from GOP legislators Thursday, who contend the Whitmer administration does not give enough weight to the mental health damage inflicted by school and economic shutdown orders.
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Michigan health workers, senior facilities likely first for COVID vaccine
A federal panel Tuesday evening issued guidance that prioritizes Michigan’s front-line workers and its elderly in long-term care facilities. Vaccines for other vulnerable groups to follow, before the general public.
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COVID vaccine for Michigan health workers may arrive by next week
Michigan’s health care workers would be the first in line to receive a vaccine, which was developed within a year — an unprecedented effort against a deadly virus. A vaccine for the general population could arrive as early as spring, Michigan’s chief medical executive tells Bridge.