This past year is on record as one of the worst flu seasons ever.
The Ingham County Health Department is reporting that many vaccine-preventable illnesses are occurring in alarming numbers across Michigan and the U.S.
State and local medical professionals are urging that residents of all ages, put an "immunization checkup" on their late-summer and fall to-do lists.
On Wednesday, state and local medical health officials held a news conference to urge Michiganders to get immunized.
“Staying up to date on vaccinations helps protect everyone,
especially newborns, children, and people who are medically unable to receive immunizations,” said Loretta V. Bush, CEO of the Michigan Primary Care Association.
The local officials say that Michigan is in the midst of one of the worst hepatitis A outbreaks in the country, and we continue to see cases of whooping cough and measles around the state.
Two children died from the flu in Michigan last flu season and there were 1,623 flu-related hospitalizations recorded in the state.
More than 172 children died from the flu nationally, a record number for one flu season.
And with fall and winter approaching, now is the time to get up-to-date on vaccines that can head off illnesses that make people very sick and even cause death in some instances.
