DETROIT – The city of Detroit continues to battle coronavirus as city officials push for more people to get vaccinated.
As of Thursday, the city’s vaccination rates are at only 21%, about 10% less than Michigan’s vaccination rate.
Community organizations are stepping up to get the word out about the availability of vaccines, the safety of vaccines.
While demand for the vaccine in Detroit seems to be running low, there was a line of people ready to be vaccinated Thursday at the Sheffield Center on Grand River Avenue. The Rev. Horace Sheffield was able to access his database to get as many on board as possible.
READ: Detroit opens COVID vaccination sites that don’t require appointments, sees low turnout
The city is doing all it can to get more people vaccinated by offering walk-ins with no appointment needed, but the TCF Center and Ford Field seem nearly empty. What makes the Sheffield Center different? It could be the connection to the Reverend and its efforts to inform and educate the community.
Mayor Mike Duggan said he’s seen what’s happening at the Sheffield Center and is going to work alongside the Reverend to offer more vaccines to him and other influential leaders in the city to get people vaccinated.
“We’re seeing it across the country, there’s no question about it, we have to shift in the early phases people who are anxious to get the vaccine,” Duggan said. “The city of Detroit was the most efficient at getting them vaccinated. Now for those who are not as motivated, we got to be more accessible. I think we’ve opened up some neighborhood walk-in sites without a lot of publicity in the neighborhoods so we’re fixing that.”
The city is going to work on letting residents know about the neighborhood walk-in sites that are available. Duggan was very clear and direct about what may be the next big initiative