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UNDATED, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging residents to get their flu vaccines as influenza activity rises across the state. Officials say the flu vaccine is considered the most effective tool to prevent serious illness. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, emphasized that while the vaccine may not prevent mild illness, it significantly reduces severe complications, including hospitalization.
The flu season has started earlier and more intensely this year, driven by a newer H3N2 variant, subclade K. This variant has already caused a surge in cases in the United Kingdom and Canada, which often predict trends in the United States. Despite the emergence of this variant, the current flu vaccine still offers protection against severe outcomes. Estimates from the UK suggest that the vaccine prevents 70-75% of flu-related hospital visits for children and 30-40% for adults.
However, Michigan's flu vaccination coverage is currently low, with only 18% of the population vaccinated. Joe Coyle, director of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Prevention at MDHHS, expressed concern over the low vaccination rates, especially with the fast-spreading H3N2 variant. Last year, Michigan recorded over 33,000 influenza-related hospitalizations and 14 pediatric deaths, highlighting the importance of vaccination.
MDHHS recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive the annual flu shot. Additional preventive measures include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, frequent handwashing, and improving indoor ventilation.