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Guest column: Do your part by getting a flu shot

This story appeared in the Oakland Press. Read the full story here.

Last month the State of Michigan announced a goal to increase flu vaccinations by more than 1 million over last year’s flu season. The 33 percent increase could significantly reduce illness, hospitalizations and deaths this flu season, and help us maintain our progress in fighting COVID-19.

As a Black woman, mother, practicing emergency room physician, and the state’s Chief Medical Executive, there is nothing that concerns me more than what may be in store for my family, patients, community, and the people of Michigan if we fall short of this goal.

COVID-19 has made 2020 an unimaginable year. This past spring, southeast Michigan hospitals were flooded with patients suffering from this mysterious and unforgiving virus. Many of those people lost their lives. Our frontline healthcare workers—the true heroes in this pandemic—put their own lives on the line to try to save others. Stark racial inequities were also exposed. While African Americans make up 14 percent of Michigan’s population, they comprise 32 percent of cases and 40 percent of deaths due to COVID-19. For me personally, treating patients, watching my colleagues become ill—and some die—all while steering Michigan through this public health crisis was almost too much to bear.

While Michiganders banded together to bring the curve down, the threat of a second surge this fall is real and could be worse than what we saw earlier in the year.

The flu makes it even more complicated.

Last season, the flu infected up to 56 million people and caused nearly half a million hospitalizations. The flu can also be deadly – preying on those of extreme age. Last year, six children in Michigan died from the flu.

The fact is we will have both COVID-19 and flu circulating in the community this fall. That has the potential to overwhelm our hospitals, cripple our testing supplies, cause many people to have to stay home from work and school, and potentially undo the important progress we’ve made fighting this pandemic.

A flu vaccine could mean the difference between keeping our hospitals running smoothly and our economy and schools on track to reopen, and us sliding backward into the dire straits we faced just a few months ago.

I know people are exasperated by the events of this year and may feel like they don’t have control over this pandemic. But there are very basic things everyone can do to play their part. That means wearing a mask, washing hands, avoiding large groups, and getting a flu shot.

I recognize many people may feel they don’t need a flu shot. Every year I hear from countless patients, friends, and even family members about how they are not convinced they need it. I know there is a lot of misinformation out there, but I can tell you now is not the time to fall victim to fake news and myths. The flu shot does not cause the flu. The flu shot is 40 to 60 percent effective and can mean the difference between a mild illness or death if you are infected. Please, do not risk your life, our state’s COVID-19 efforts, and the progress we’ve made this year by forgoing your vaccine.

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get vaccinated against the flu annually. The state is working hard to make sure everyone who needs a vaccine can get one. You can go to your nearest pharmacy or talk to your primary care provider about which option of the flu vaccine works best for you. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is also partnering with hospitals and clinics to make sure we are eliminating barriers to access. We launched a “Facing the Flu Together” campaign to get this important message out. You can visit our website at Michigan.gov/Flu to find out more.

Don’t risk the important progress made with COVID-19 this year. Do your part and get vaccinated against the flu. Help us reach our goal to increase vaccinations by 1 million this season to better protect family, friends, our community, and especially our health care resources – so they can be focused on where they are needed most.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH is the Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

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

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