Residents of Detroit with documented intellectual or developmental disabilities are now eligible to be vaccinated at TCF Center, Mayor Mike Duggan announced today. The city also is adding to the eligibility list home health care providers who live in Detroit.

The announcement is the latest move by the city to reach its most vulnerable populations. Earlier this week, the Mayor announced Senior Saturdays, as series of weekend vaccination events for Detroiters age 65+ starting this Saturday, as well as a program to provide $2 rides to TCF center for Detroit residents who may not have their own transportation. That program includes wheelchair accessible vehicles for individuals with physical disabilities.

As a city, we recognize that individuals with certain conditions are more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to a weakened immune system or being unable to properly socially distance, said Mayor Duggan. Only four states in the country have specifically opened access to disabled residents and in Detroit we are making them among our highest priority.

Disabled residents wishing to make an appointment at TCF can do so starting today by calling 313-230-0505. Wheelchair accessible transportation can be arranged after your vaccination appointment is scheduled by calling 313-208-7364. Among the conditions covered by the Mayors directive are:

When they arrive for their appointment at TCF, the patient will be asked to show evidence of their condition, such as a health provider note, insurance record, prescription bottle or any other document that verifies their condition.

The Mayor also added home health care providers living in Detroit to care for their patient to the eligibility list. Part time care providers and those working at congregate settings have been eligible since January 28th in Detroit.

It is required that the home health care provider make his or her appointment at the same time as their patient and that they arrive at TCF in the same vehicle.

The City recently partnered with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network to begin delivering vaccines on site at adult foster care homes and other group settings with highly vulnerable populations.

At his briefing today, Mayor Duggan introduced his new Director of Disability Affairs, Chris Samp. Samp, who is deaf, will be leading the citys efforts to ensure that Detroits disabled community is considered across the spectrum of city services to recommend, develop and implement new policies and practices to support them. The Office of Disability Affairs is a division of the Department of Civil Right, Inclusion & Opportunity, led by Charity Dean.

The opening of the office of disability affairs is a major milestone for the City of Detroit. Together, we will strengthen accessibility, employment and housing opportunities and make pedestrian routes safer, Samp said. Mayor Duggans expansion of equitable access to vaccinations for individuals with disabilities is a huge step in the right direction. The disability community is not expendible and they are a valued part of our community."

Starting this weekend, the Detroit Health Department will be partnering with two of the citys largest churches to hold weekly vaccination fairs exclusively for Detroit residents ages 65 and older. Fellowship Chapel will hold its first fair this Saturday, February 13, from 9 AM to 1 PM and Second Ebenezer will hold its event the same day from 1 -5 PM

The events at both churches will repeat each Saturday on February 20th & 27th and March 6th. Up to 500 vaccinations will be scheduled at each location, each day. Eligible residents can call 313-230-0505 to schedule their appointment at either church.

Vaccinations will be administered by appointment only. Workers and residents will not be vaccinated without having first made an appointment. Individuals must call 313-230-0505 to schedule.

Grocery store and security guard employees scheduling appointments will be required to provide their name, residence address and age. For greater efficiency and convenience, the city is recommending that when possible, eligible members of the same family or neighbors schedule jointly and arrive in the same vehicle. Group B essential workers will be required to provide the name of their employer and their most recent pay stub to verify their eligibility.

Second vaccination requiredWhen they schedule their appointment, individuals will be provided TWO appointment dates, one for the first dose and another for the required second dose. Call center staff will contact each scheduled person prior to their second appointment to remind them. Individuals also will be provided specific instructions on when and where to arrive to the TCF Center, where they will be required to fill out a basic consent form.

After receiving their vaccination, individuals will be required to remain in their vehicles inside the TCF garage for a period of approximately 15 minutes to make sure they are not experiencing any side effects. Medical staff will be on hand to assist any who may experience any side effects. Appointments should last approximately one hour once the person enters the TCF garage.

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City adds disabled residents, home health care providers to list of groups eligible for vaccinations | City of Detroit - City of Detroit