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Data showing cold and flu season is beginning in parts of the US

Mother taking sick young boy's temperature

This article was posted on Fox 17. Read more here. 

There are early signs of an uptick in some respiratory viruses ahead of the holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says RSV activity is increasing in the southern and eastern United States, particularly among young children. Seasonal flu activity is also increasing among children.

The CDC said overall flu, COVID-19 and RSV illnesses are at low levels, but the public health agency expects cases to climb in the coming weeks.

Immunizations are the best tools for preventing serious illness, according to the CDC. Other preventative steps include ordering your free coronavirus tests at COVIDTESTS.gov, staying home when you are sick, and washing your hands often.

Everyone age 6 months and older should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness, the CDC recommends. Flu shots are also recommended for those over age 6 months.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 22% of adults in the U.S. got a COVID-19 shot for the 2023-24 season. The CDC estimated that 44.9% of adults got a flu shot last season.

The CDC estimates that RSV causes 6,000-10,000 deaths among adults 65 years of age and older annually. The CDC said that adults over age 60 should talk to their doctor on whether to get an RSV vaccine.

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

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Recommended Immunization Schedules

These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If your child (birth through 6 years old) or adolescent (age 7 through 18 years old) has missed any shots, talk to your child’s doctor about getting back on track.

Michigan School & Childcare Immunization Requirements

Request your child’s immunization record

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), is an immunization registry managed by MDHHS and reported to by immunization providers. MCIR allows healthcare providers or individuals to access their immunization records regardless of their location in Michigan. This system also helps to track local and state immunization rates of Michigan residents to ensure immunity to vaccine-preventable illnesses. MCIR is a lifespan registry that includes infant through adult records.

For your appointment

Before, during, and after pregnancy protection
When you’re pregnant, you share everything with your baby. That means when you get vaccines, you aren’t just protecting yourself — you are giving your baby some early protection, too. The CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you and your baby need before, during, and after pregnancy.
From the CDC

Get prepared: Before, during, and after your child’s appointment
There are things you can do before, during and after your child’s appointment to make them easier and less stressful for both of you.
From the CDC

Mobile app from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a free mobile app called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know so you can access credible, science-based information from wherever and whenever you need it.

Find your local Michigan public health department or immunization clinic
See the directory of Michigan’s 45 local public health departments for more information on your child’s immunization record and where to get them vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.

Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu is a nonprofit on a mission to save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.

Vaccinate Your Family
Vaccinate Your Family, formerly known as Every Child By Two, is a non-profit organization that advocates for vaccinations.

Shot by Shot
Stories of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is a collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Voices for Vaccines
Voices for Vaccines is a parent-led organization that supports and advocates for on-time vaccination and the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease.

 

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