(WWJ) Are you up-to-date on your vaccinations? How about your spouse? Grandma? The kids?
If you're not quite sure how to answer those questions, officials say Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to ask your doctor.
Stressing that vaccines are proven to protect people from serious diseases at every age, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are urging Michiganders to their healthcare provider to ensure their families are up to date on all recommended vaccines.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not uncommon for people to miss routine checkups and vaccinations... and Michigan, like many other states, saw a decline in vaccination coverage. According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), as of June 2021, only 54.7% of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age were fully immunized with recommended vaccines.
So with kids going back to school and adults back in the workplace, officials say it's now more important than ever for everyone to get back on track with routine vaccines.
“Keeping Michiganders healthy and safe is my number one priority,” said Whitmer, in a statement. “I encourage everyone take this time to educate themselves on the importance of immunizations to protect our overall public health and keep our families safe. I particularly urge all Michiganders get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine is out best defense against the virus and will keep you, your loved ones, and your community safe.”
During National Immunization Awareness Month, MDHHS joins the Franny Strong Foundation, with which it partners with on the IVaccinate campaign, and other organizations across the nation to spread the message that vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect health and lower risks for certain diseases and cancers.
“Vaccinating on time and following CDC’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases including COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis A, cancers caused by HPV and measles,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “We have the power to protect not only ourselves, but our entire community when we vaccinate on time.”
MDHHS encourages Michiganders to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout a child’s life. Adults 19 and older can take the CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool to find out which vaccines they may need. It is important that all Michiganders are up to date on recommended vaccines.
Meanwhile, the state says August is also a critical time for those who are eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and to find a vaccine near you, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.