LANSING – Starting Monday, more Michigan residents will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

To help reach the State's goal of vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders over the age of 16 and bring a quicker end to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that the State is expanding vaccination eligibility starting Monday, March 8. This follows the announcement by President Joe Biden that ramped up production will provide enough doses for 300 million Americans by the end of May.

MDHHS is moving forward with vaccinating Michiganders age 50 and older that have medical conditions or disabilities, along with caregiver family members and guardians who care for children with special health care needs. Beginning Monday, March 22, vaccine eligibility will again expand to include all Michiganders 50 and older. To date, more than 40 percent of Michigan residents age 65 and older have been vaccinated.

To find out if you are part of the two new priority groups of 50 and older Michiganders, you should check the website of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency at bhsj dot org or contact your local hospital to find out their process or for registration forms. You can also check additional vaccination sites, such as local pharmacies.

If you don't have internet access, or need assistance navigating the vaccine scheduling process, you can call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or call 211. While supplies are increasing, it is important to remember there remains a limited amount of vaccine available, so there may be a waiting list for available appointments.