You’re probably tired of hearing about it, but the fact is that COVID 19 and other similar flu variants are still out there, ready to inflict disease wherever they can gain a foothold. State health officials say the tried and tested defense is vaccination every year in the Fall.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recommending residents get flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to protect themselves and their communities against respiratory viruses during this upcoming fall and winter season.
This recommendation follows the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation for the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines.
The updated vaccines are expected to provide protection against severe COVID-19 disease from currently circulating variants. The COVID-19 vaccine can be given with other vaccines, including flu and RSV vaccines.
Respiratory infections are projected to cause millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths throughout the United States and Michigan this year. During the past two flu seasons,16 Michigan children died from influenza – the most recorded in any two-year span over the last 20 years.
“Our best protection against severe illness from these infections are annual vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 and a single dose of RSV for older adults or pregnant individuals,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “The influenza vaccine is widely available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies and local health departments. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is available and recommended for everyone six months and older. We urge Michigan families to get these vaccines as soon as possible. You may still become ill this winter season, but these vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from severe disease, which can land you in the hospital or even cause death.”
According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, seasonal flu vaccine coverage in Michiganders has decreased each year since the 2020-21 flu season. Coverage for the 2023-24 season was 26% overall, down from 34% in 2020-21. This combined with low COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Michiganders for the 2023-24 season (12.5%) is cause for concern. Getting vaccinated against these viruses helps contain the spread of respiratory viruses in communities and reduces severe illness and hospitalizations.
To find a vaccine location near you, visit Vaccine Finder.
To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV.
