Vaccine Eligibility Open To All Michiganders Over 16 Today

If you are one of the many people who have been patiently awaiting your turn to receive your COVID-19 vaccine, now is your chance. The eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine officially opens up to all Michiganders over the age of 16 starting today, April 5th, 2021.

Providers and vaccine distributers are still going to prioritize applicants based on the individual's risk of exposure, so it still isn't a first come first serve scenario.

The COVID-19 vaccines are free and you don't need insurance to sign up to get one. Many providers will ask you to bring proof of insurance, and your insurance company will be charged a small fee when you receive your vaccine, but it is not required. If you do not have insurance, a state relief fund will pay for the fee.

Currently, children under the age of 16 are not eligible for a vaccine because none have been approved for use in children yet. And only Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for children ages 16 and above. The major vaccine producers are currently working to get vaccines approved for children under the age of 16.

You can register to get your vaccine through a ton of different businesses, local government websites, and other clinics and providers. Below, you can see a few different options in Kent County.

And if one of your loved ones does not have access to the internet, the Michigan Government has set up other avenues to book their appointment. In a press release posted on Michigan.gov, "Residents who don’t have access to the internet or who need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 (press 1), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or can call 2-1-1."

You can read more about the vaccination process at Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.