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Fighting The Flu, Respiratory Illnesses

What is influenza (the flu)?

The flu — short for influenza — is an illness caused by influenza viruses. The flu spreads from person to person through the air by coughing, sneezing or just breathing. Symptoms usually appear suddenly and include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, chills and muscle aches. Most people who get the flu will recover in a week or two, but some people have more serious complications such as ear and sinus infections, pneumonia, bronchitis and inflammation of the heart.

Even healthy people can get the flu, and it can be very serious. The flu causes more deaths each year than any other vaccine-preventable disease — mostly among older people, but it is also very dangerous for children and young adults.

Source:
CDC – Key Facts About Seasonal Flu 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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Respiratory Illnesses

What is respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV?

RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs…

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Fighting The Flu, Respiratory Illnesses

Can you get sick with more than one respiratory virus at a time?

It is possible to get sick with more than one respiratory virus at the same time…

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About I Vaccinate

I Vaccinate provides information and tools based on real medical science and research to help Michigan parents protect their kids. Support is provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Franny Strong Foundation.

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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.

©2026 Franny Strong Foundation | All rights reserved

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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