Leaders of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties Express Concerns About Vaccine Rollout
Frustrations are mounting as the state’s slow vaccine distribution pushes back Michigan’s inoculation timeline.
Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, while ramping up, continues to experience significant hiccups. In three separate conversations on Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson, three different Michigan county executives expressed shared concern over vaccine supply.
“I’m worried. I’m hoping the general trend is that the vaccine number is going to start increasing, but I have no data to support it or any data to support that I’m getting a fair number [of vaccines].” — Wayne County Executive Warren Evans
Wayne County
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans honed in on vaccine distribution disparities, stating that Wayne County has received fewer doses of the vaccine per capita than surrounding counties. “I’m worried. I’m hoping the general trend is that the vaccine number is going to start increasing, but I have no data to support it or any data to support that I’m getting a fair number (of vaccines),” says Evans.
Oakland County
In a recent Detroit Today interview, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter echoed concerns around vaccine supply. Despite having received more doses than any other county in the state, Coulter says it’s still not nearly enough. “It’s frustrating… We just don’t have enough doses to meet the incredible demand,” says Coulter. He is worried that the limited supply means the timeline for mass-vaccination will be pushed back. “It’ll probably be closer to summer until everyone who wants it will have it,” says Coulter on vaccine access.
Macomb County
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel told Stephen Henderson he is frustrated by the state’s vaccine eligibility framework. Moving past phase 1A of vaccine distribution, he says, overwhelmed the system. “We created a demand that we cannot fulfill the supply for,” says Hackel. He adds that seniors should continue to be prioritized until there is more vaccine doses available. “Seniors shouldn’t have to compete with younger people from all the other categories right now,” says Hackel.
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