WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Vaccine production is ramping up in Michigan, and Wayne County is set to receive more than 8,375 first doses and 2,925 second doses next week.
“This is going to be really good news for people," said Plymouth resident Joan Bellemare. "I think they’ll be happy to hear there’s more coming in.”
That shipment is roughly double the amount the county received last week, but Wayne County officials say it’s still not enough.
“While we are excited to see that our allocation has increased, we are still concerned that we are not getting our fair and equitable distribution,” said Genelle Allen, Chief Operating Officer for Wayne County.
Allen says it took Wayne County Executive Warren Evans calling a meeting with Governor Whitmer's office to get more vaccines. So far, their shipments have ranged from around 5,000 to less than 1,000.
“The state has said that we should see a consistent allocation going forward, but up to this point we have not," Allen said. "It’s been very erratic.”
The city of Detroit handles their own vaccinations, but even without the city, Allen says the rest of the county, which still has a population of more than one million, deserves more than they’re getting.
“We just want to make sure our Wayne County residents are getting their fair and equitable share,” Allen said.
Starting Tuesday, Wayne County will begin vaccinating K-12 education workers, shifting focus before schools are urged to return March 1. The rest of Wayne County continues to wait their turn in line.
“I would like to get it but I don't mind waiting my turn," Bellemare said. "I know it’s in short supply right now.”