Towards the end of December, respiratory illness trends reached the highest levels so far this season, with national levels at 6.8% of outpatient visits for flu-like symptoms, and state levels at 4.5%. With Michigan activity typically lagging a few weeks behind national trends, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services expects to see an uptick in local activity, especially with children returning to school from holiday breaks and snow days.
According to the MDHHS, the majority of Michiganders are not up to date on respiratory illness vaccinations, with only 11% having been vaccinated for COVID-19. Just over 23% have been vaccinated for influenza, or around 2.5 million people. That’s well below the 4 million doses of flu vaccines that were expected to be administered this season.
The department reminds residents that it takes about two weeks after a vaccine is administered before the body builds up enough immunity to protect from the most severe aspects of the flu virus, and flu activity usually peaks in February. Most at risk are young children, adults aged 65 years and older, people with certain medical conditions and pregnant persons.
You can find more information online at Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV or visit IVaccinate.org
