GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — With schools getting ready to welcome students back, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging Michiganders to get up-to-date on their vaccinations.
This push is part of National Immunization Awareness Month, which aims to educate people on how vaccinations can help prevent some diseases.
According to the MDHHS, only 66.9% of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age are fully up-to-date on their vaccinations. This is a nearly 10% decrease in the vaccination rate since 2019.
“As we start getting our families ready for school in the fall, it’s a good time to catch up on routine vaccinations,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Vaccinating on time and following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended schedule is the best protection against serious diseases like measles, hepatitis A, polio and cancers caused by HPV. Together we can protect Michigan children, families and communities. Make an appointment with your health care provider, find a local pharmacy or contact your local health department for more information.”
The MDHHS said more information on flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines will be released soon. You can find more information on where to get these vaccines here.