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Michigan adds vaccinations to 22 testing sites

MidMichigan Health
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MidMichigan Health
Patient receiving COVID-19 vaccination

With a newly identified Delta variant, COVID-19 is continuing its spread across Michigan. To further combat the passing of the virus, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is adding vaccinations to 22 testing sites.

Many of the locations are located in the southern part of the state, but several have been added to mid and northwestern areas.

In Traverse City, the Cherry Capital Airport has been offering testing since April, but they expect to be a vaccination site by next month. The goal of this location is to target those traveling throughout the state from varying communities.

"So when they look at 'why not at an airport?' because it's another way to get it in front of the masses," Airport Director Kevin Klein said. "I think that it's a very important step to do, and I think it's been very effective, which shows in the testing with over 1,000 tests done in the last, you know, four months or so."

Right now, the airport offers both rapid testing and a PCR testing, which is also known as a molecular test. The type of test given depends on the travelers preference.

"Their results are given to them, most of the time, when they've already left the property," Klein said. "Once they receive those tests, then they will know whether to quarantine, or if they're negative, to continue about their actions."

Creating a convenient and equal testing and vaccination opportunity is the intention of upgrading these sites, according to MDHHS spokesperson Lynn Sutfin.

"So you want to make sure that they are located in all kinds of communities, rural and urban," she said. "Because we do want to make sure that everybody in Michigan has that access, because the COVID-19 vaccine and testing are two very key parts of defeating this pandemic."

Other sites include New Beginnings Deliverance Ministry in Saginaw, Michigan Welcome Center in Clare and Kirtland Community College in Grayling.

With an added convenience for both testing and vaccination, Sutfin said she hopes it will urge Michiganders to protect themselves against the virus.

"All of those things help contribute. The easier you make it for an individual to get vaccinated, the more likely it is that they'll do it if they had not just gotten to it yet," she said. "So you want to make sure that vaccine is available in their communities, right down the street if necessary."

More information on containing COVID-19, along with vaccination and testing site locations can be found under the resources tab at Michigan.gov.