Dear Neighbor,
As we enter fall and flu season, I want to take this opportunity to share information and resources to help you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy in the months ahead.
I am aware and understand that many in our community are feeling uncertain and anxious about the federal government’s evolving recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine. Please know that we are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to share any new or helpful information about how to best ensure you and your loved ones are able to access the vaccine. Because there’s one thing we know for sure — your best protection from COVID-19 and other viruses like the flu and RSV is to be up to date on vaccines. Read on to learn more about these respiratory viruses and how to prevent them.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments. You can email me at SenSSingh@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-3447.
Sincerely,
Sam Singh
State Senator
District 28
Stay Safe from Seasonal Influenza
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting an annual flu vaccine. Everyone six months of age and older should get the flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. Because it takes about two weeks after the vaccine is administered before the body builds up enough immunity to protect from severe illness from the flu, individuals are encouraged to get the vaccine now prior to the holiday season if they have not already done so for the year.
Vaccination is especially crucial for individuals at increased risk of severe flu complications, such as those who are pregnant, older adults, and young children. Each year, millions of children in the U.S. contract the flu, leading to thousands being hospitalized. Persons who are pregnant are also at increased risk for serious flu-related issues.
Contact your doctor or Local Health Department to ask about flu vaccine availability, or for a list of flu vaccination clinics near you, please visit the Vaccine Finder.
Updates on the COVID-19 Vaccine
Overwhelming evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, have saved millions of lives, and have prevented tens of millions of hospitalizations in the U.S. Understanding how crucial this vaccine has been to protecting public health over these past few years, I understand the very real anxiety folks are feeling following the recent actions of the federal government, uncertain if you or a loved one will be able to access the vaccine now or into the future. I want you to know that we are in contact with the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding the evolving state and federal COVID-19 recommendations and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure you can access the vaccination and protect yourself from this virus.
In case you missed it — on Sept. 17, Gov. Whitmer issued an Executive Directive to MDHHS, the Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services, and the Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to work collaboratively and take action to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are available to Michiganders who wish to access them, as appropriate. Following that, on Friday, Sept. 19, the State of Michigan Chief Medical Executive issued a standing recommendation concluding that “any person over the age of six months without contraindication who has not received a dose of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved or -authorized 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine may be considered to have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and is thus eligible to receive an age-appropriate dose.” Please consider this recommendation when answering any COVID-19 vaccine screening questions. We encourage you to follow up with your provider or call your local pharmacy directly to check on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and any specific guidelines.
To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses — including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/covidflursv.
Along with getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs, such as by practicing good hygiene and taking steps for cleaner air. If you may have a respiratory virus, use precautions to prevent spread and seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.
Find Your Michigan Immunization Record: MDHHSmimmsportal.state.mi.us.