Detroit expands Covid vaccine eligibility for auto workers

DETROIT – Manufacturing employees in the city, such as car workers, are now eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine without restrictions, such as age or proof of pre-existing conditions.

Extended eligibility for Detroit production workers marks a major extension to vaccine workers’ eligibility for similar actions by municipalities such as Boone County, Illinois. It should help keep employees and car installations safe.

The United Auto Workers union estimates that at least 10,000 of its members work in Detroit. A total number of producer workers living in the city were not immediately available.

Detroit’s launch of the Moderna and Pfizer two-dose vaccines will take place at a conference center as well as clinics for major manufacturing operations, starting with two SUV factories for Stellantis, the former Fiat Chrysler. Manufacturing employees who live or work in the city are eligible, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Tuesday.

“Car and UAW companies have done an excellent job so far, but nothing is as good as vaccination,” Duggan told a news conference that included UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who received the vaccination.

Detroit automakers last year implemented extensive safety measures and social distancing guidelines during their two-month shutdown to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. The security measures implemented included plastic barriers, masks and other things, such as temperature screens and protocols for entering and leaving plants.

“Workers in the manufacturing industry, whether they are trade unions or not, have really been there throughout the entire labor pandemic and it has not been easy,” Estrada said. “We’ve had plant diseases and deaths, so this is incredibly important.”

Less than 30 of the approximately 400,000 UAW members have died from Covid-19, according to union spokesman Brian Rothenberg. He said the union was working “with the White House, governors and all our partners on vaccine distribution plans.”

Stellantis employees in Boone County, Illinois, were among the first drivers to receive Covid-19 vaccinations. The company said it is looking forward to working with other health departments to make the rest of our Stellantis employees available for vaccines, following local distribution plans.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in protecting our employees and our communities so that we can return to the lives we all want to live,” Stellantis said in a statement.

The Stellantis plants in Detroit, including a new facility that is not fully operational, are among the largest production operations in the city. The company expects to initially offer vaccination to 8,000 people.

General Motors also owns a large plant in the city, but this unit does not temporarily produce vehicles until later this year due to construction.

Detroit has administered 90,170 doses – 70.7% of the doses it has received – and has more than 52,800 scheduled appointments, according to its website.