Metro Detroit Health Officials Urge Residents To Get Flu Vaccine As Cases Climb

Metro Detroit health officials are encouraging residents to get vaccinated against the flu as cases rise across the region.

Michigan remains one of 26 states where influenza-like illnesses are "very high," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of the week ending Jan. 3, there were 3,371 flu hospitalizations across Michigan. The bulk of those cases (2,201) were from southeastern Michigan. Additionally, more than half of those hospitalizations were people 65 and older, according to state data.

State data shows 434 of those hospitalizations were children under the age of 5. Michigan's top chief medical executive Natasha Bagdasarian said last week some of those cases have put kids on ventilators.

The Wayne County Health Department expects flu cases to continue rising, primarily due to a new variant known as H3N2 subclade K. Health officials said the vaccine is effective against the variant and reduces hospitalization rates up to 75 percent.

"It is not too late to get vaccinated," Wayne County’s Chief Medical Health Officer Avani Sheth said. "While the flu shot may not always prevent infection, it remains our most powerful tool to reduce severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Everyone six months and older should receive an annual flu vaccine."

Statewide, only 24.6 percent of Michiganders have received the flu vaccine so far this season, according to state data.

Health officials said flu vaccines are widely available at pharmacies, health care providers and local health departments.

"Most health insurance plans cover flu vaccination at no out-of-pocket cost. Wayne County Public Health offers low- to no-cost vaccines, regardless of insurance status at the health department clinic," health officials said in a statement.