DETROIT – About 50% of eligible Michiganders have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but there’s a long way to go to get to 70%.
READ: How long will it take Michigan to reach a 70% vaccination rate?
The city of Detroit will start going door-to-door Monday to encourage people to visit one of its six neighborhood vaccination sites. It will also be expanding the “Good Neighbor” program, offering $50 gift cards to people who bring a Detroiter in to get a shot.
READ: Mass Vaccination Week: Slew of walk-in COVID vaccine sites planned in Metro Detroit May 1-8
Rep. Brenda Lawrence said there aren’t enough people getting vaccinated, particularly in the Black communities.
Black populations have been hit disproportionately hard by coronavirus and Lawrence has seen it all over her 14th District. She’s now on a mission to change that and to get vaccination rates up with a three-pronged attack:
- Accessibility -- Making sure people can get a shot
- Awareness -- Making sure people know it’s safe and effective from people they trust
- Education -- Combatting misinformation about the vaccines.
Without question, social media has been a problem with misinformation. Lawrence said Black communities have been targeted with myths and conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine. She said it’s time for common sense to win.
“You want to have a wedding, go to the bar, socialize? Get the vaccine,” Lawrence said. “That’s the only way we’re going to get there.”