Manufacturing Workers in Detroit Now Eligible to Receive Coronavirus Vaccine

The Detroit Health Department is expanding eligibility for its coronavirus vaccination program by adding factory workers to the list.

The city will now offer the shots to residents who work in manufacturing and at the city’s industrial sites. The expansion applies to all age groups and includes Detroit residents who work in the suburbs. 

As of Tuesday, more than 90,000 doses of vaccine have been administered by the city.

“The reason why we are sharing this with you is so that you are clear that our strategies are working and that Detroiters have equitable access to this life-saving vaccine.” — Denise Fair, Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Detroit 

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Mayor Mike Duggan said the city health department will offer vaccinations on site at the two Jeep plants on Detroit’s east side.

“For any other Detroit manufacturer, if you’re a major manufacturer in the city and you want us to come out, call your partner at Detroit At Work and we can potentially come out to your site as well,” he said.

Stress on Factory Workers

United Auto Workers Vice President Cindy Estrada says industry has not stopped during the pandemic.

“That puts a lot of stress on workers and their families. And we’ve had some illness in our plants and deaths.”

Qualifying workers can schedule an appointment at the TCF Center vaccination site and will need to show proof of employment at a factory. Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair says people who live or work in the city can schedule an appointment at the TCF Center downtown.

More Vaccination Sites for Seniors

The city also announced the expansion of its delivery of the vaccine with the addition two senior locations starting this weekend, bringing the total number of neighborhood sites to six.

Fair said Detroit is publishing vaccine data by race.

“The reason why we are sharing this with you is so that you are clear that our strategies are working and that Detroiters have equitable access to this life-saving vaccine,” she said. 

Nearly two-thirds of Detroit’s vaccines have been given to African Americans, with a third going to white people. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 78% of Detroit residents are Black.

Duggan said as the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine comes online, Detroit is not expected to get any. He says he’d rather have the city administer the more effective double-dose treatment from Moderna and Pfizer.