Updates About Public Health

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.

Governor Whitmer, Elizabeth Hertel, and other state officials attended an open house on June 5 to celebrate the completion of the new Caro Psychiatric Hospital.

This $85 million Caro Psychiatric Hospital is replacing the current Caro Center, which opened in 1914 as the Caro Farm Colony for Epileptics, and was the only residential treatment facility in the state of Michigan for individuals with seizure disorders until 1997.

The facility will house 100 inpatient beds and the facility is expected to offer more options for Michigan families in need of behavioral health care services. Caro will now be one of five residential psychiatric hospitals in the state.

On June 12, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Michigan would receive $338 million following the state’s role in the Walgreens National Opioid Settlement.

The state is expected to receive $200 million over 15 years with an additional $138 million allocated over 18 years. These funds are in addition to previous national settlements from other opioid distributors and manufacturers, which brings the total allocation to approximately $1.6 billion.