Some Michiganders cutting in line for vaccine

Some Michiganders are getting vaccinated for the coronavirus early, jumping ahead of older and more at-risk individuals. This wouldn’t be as big of a problem if it weren’t for the fact that COVID-19 vaccines are in short supply.

In Kalamazoo County, more than 20,000 people age 65 and older have signed up on a waiting list to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. At the current rate of vaccinations, it will take more than six weeks to get through the list.

The Detroit Free Press reports that people are using private sign up forms or personal connections to get the vaccine even though they aren’t yet eligible. The reports are anecdotal as there isn’t any way to track how widespread the practice is.

Michigan has a system for determining who should be inoculated first for the coronavirus. It began with just frontline medical workers and people who live or work in nursing homes. Two weeks ago, the state expanded eligibility to people age 65 and older as well as some non-medical essential workers, such as teachers and police officers.

Unfortunately, there is no way to keep up with the demand for the vaccine as limited supplies roll in at an unpredictable rate.

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