GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A spokesperson with Mercy Health confirmed to Fox 17 that while none of their hospitals have received the COVID-19 vaccine yet, they will be prepared once the vaccine becomes available.
"Mercy Health is actively preparing to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as the first shipment arrives," Mercy Health in a statement. "Like all Michigan health systems, we are working closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), which has been charged with vaccine distribution in our state."
"MDHHS believes we will see the first distribution of Pfizer vaccine by Dec. 15 or soon after," Mercy Health continued in the statement. "Mercy Health will also follow CDC recommendations for vaccine prioritization, including ensuring healthcare workers and our most vulnerable patients receive the COVID-19 vaccine first. From there we are determining the most efficient ways to distribute the vaccine to the community based on vaccine supply made available to us."
The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine into Michigan is an ongoing story. Fox 17 will provide more details on this when they become readily available.