Updates About Public Health

With the Public Health Emergency ending on May 11, 2023, MDHHS and DIFS issued guidance to the public about the future of COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments related to cost and accessibility in the state of Michigan.

Both departments reminded individuals that testing and vaccines continue to be available to the public at little to no cost.

For specific information on available testing, vaccines, treatments, and data, please see the following links:

MDHHS Update on End of PHE.

DIFS Update on End of PHE.

On May 1, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued updated guidance related to COVID-19 vaccines as the nation moves towards the end of the federal public health emergency. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent mRNA vaccines.

The guidance from the FDA includes authorizing the bivalent vaccines to be used for all doses administered to those ages 6 months and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA are taking steps to simplify COVID-19 vaccination recommendations and schedules for most individuals. The intent is to allow for more flexibility for those who are immunocompromised and high risk.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced a pilot program for community health worker (CHW) services at former COVID-19 neighborhood testing sites.

CHWs are trained public health professionals whose goal is to address social determinants of health and improve the well-being of communities. CHWs can refer visitors to providers, help them get health insurance coverage, and provide education on medications, chronic conditions, and healthy lifestyle habits.

CHW pilot sites will be located in Detroit, Flint, and Muskegon. More information can be found here.