(WXYZ) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling on the Biden government to pump additional vaccines to Michigan.
“Administering more than five million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccine in less than four months is a major problem, but we still have a lot more work to do,” Whitmer said. “Right now, our numbers are alarming, and we all have a role to play in getting our state back in the right direction. Therefore, I renew my appeal to the federal government to direct additional vaccines to our state. “
State officials believe an additional supply of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is vital; Whitmer said the one-time vaccine is critical to protecting younger Michiganders.
“Michigan is undoubtedly a national hot spot right now,” Whitmer said.
She said the federal government should push vaccines to states with more serious outbreaks.
“I urge the federal government to put in place a vaccination program to help states like Michigan,” she said.
On Thursday, the state reported more than 7,800 new cases of COVID-19, with the total now more than 723,000.
Hospitals in the Detroit metro are also nearing capacity for COVID-19 patients, and earlier this week MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel said some hospitals are implementing swing plans.
Active cases of coronavirus in the state are approaching 130,000, the highest number since mid-November, when the state announced a partial shutdown.
The B.1.1.7 variant of the virus is also spreading across Michigan, with the state having the second most cases in the United States, behind only Florida.
Related: MAP: Search COVID-19 Variants by Michigan County
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