Michigan Reaches First Dose Vaccination Rate Of 60%

LANSING, MI — More than 60 percent of Michiganders 16 years old and up have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist announced Friday morning.

In a statement, Whitmer thanked residents who have received their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“We can all feel a sense of optimism thanks to the tireless efforts of countless frontline workers who put their own safety on the line to keep the rest of us going. And we are tremendously grateful to the medical community who kept us all safe and created the safe, effective vaccines, all miracles of modern science," Whitmer said. "As we cross the 60% milestone in vaccinations, we are seeing cases, deaths, and hospitalizations continue to fall fast, which has helped to poise our economy for a strong recovery.

"I know that we can give Michigan the economic jumpstart it needs with the billions in available federal funds and our multi-billion dollar budget surplus. We will emerge from this once-in-a-century pandemic stronger than ever, and I am confident that we can make lasting, transformative investments in our schools, small businesses, and communities to help them thrive.”

Gilchrist followed suit, thanking medical professionals who helped people get vaccinated.

“These safe, effective vaccines are our best shot to end this pandemic on our own terms," Gilchrist said. "As more Michiganders make that choice, we come closer and closer to confidently growing our economy across the board, and setting our path toward a stronger Michigan. As we reach these vaccine milestones, we’re able to hug our families, return to offices, enjoy a dinner out at our favorite restaurant, and safely spend time with friends.”

More than 8.6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to nearly 5 million people in Michigan, according to data provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The majority of those vaccines were Pfizer (over 4.7 million), while more than 3.5 million Moderna vaccines also have been administered. Fewer than 300,000 Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered in Michigan, state data shows.