McCall Hamilton Advocacy and Public Affairs

Updates About COVID-19

MDHHS Recommends Three Vaccines this Flu Season

Update: Oct 2-13, 2023

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is recommending that Michigan residents get three respiratory virus vaccinations: flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Because of the high rates of spreading during this time of year, MDHHS is encouraging residents to protect themselves, especially for children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Getting the vaccines helps protect those from influenza in one’s communities and helps prevent spread. The three vaccines can be taken at the same time and is often covered by insurance.

MDHHS Provides Updated COVID-19 Testing Information

Update: Sep 18-29, 2023

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to encourage Michigan residents to get tested for COVID-19. Residents can get COVID-19 tests delivered to their homes. COVIDTests.gov will guide you to a website that gives you up to four free COVID-19 tests. Residents can still get tested in-person and can get more information on where to get tested here.

MDHHS recommends residents to have a plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 whether that be having tests on hand, masks at home, and/or quarantine measures. Testing is still highly encouraged to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

FDA Authorizes Bivalent Booster for Children

Update: Oct 17-28, 2022

On October 12, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations of the two bivalent COVID-19 vaccines authorizing their use in younger age groups. Children as young as five years are now eligible to receive the bivalent boosters two months following completion of any FDA-approved or authorized monovalent primary series or monovalent booster vaccination.

The primary series vaccine or initial booster dose previously administered does not impact the effectiveness of either bivalent booster. Additionally, the FDA has authorized the mix-and-match of COVID-19 boosters with the primary series vaccine.

In related news, on October 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued another 90-day public health emergency declaration. This will be the eleventh time since the first declaration in January 2020. The current extension ends on January 11, 2023. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of new COVID-19 cases daily is more than 38,000, with 328 deaths daily.