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Doctors say the best way to avoid getting sick this winter is to get vaccinated.
Flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines can prevent respiratory illnesses that bring coughing, aching, and a fever.
During the colder months, it’s often more common to catch and pass on viruses like COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory illnesses.
“We start to congregate, kids are back in school, we get into the holiday seasons where people are getting together quite a bit, and that allows these viruses to then relatively spread quickly between each other,” said Dr. John Brooks with McLaren Health Care.
Brooks is an infectious disease specialist; he says the importance of annual vaccinations is having the best protection possible.
“Flu changes every year. What you want to do is make sure you have the best amount of immunity possible before you ever get infected and COVID changes just like the flu,” said Brooks.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the state goal is to vaccinate 4 million residents during the 2024-25 flu season. However, roughly 1.3 million (33%) of Michiganders have received the flu vaccine. The CDC often uses the time frame of October 1 through April 30 to surveil flu season. With the COVID-19 vaccine seeing roughly the same from October 2023 to 24.
Health systems and agencies like Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph Community Health doing their part to increase those numbers.
“To help prevent spread, to help prevent worsening of chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease. This can also lead to death, so, we’re just trying to be proactive and prevent those things from happening,” said Heidi Hazel of like Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph Community Health Agency.
Hazel says the best way to protect yourself is to get updated vaccinations. Make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. If you are sick health officials say, stay home but if you must go out, wear a mask.