UPPER MICHIGAN, Mich. (WLUC) – Doctors say the best way to prepare for winter illness is to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Health experts say it’s important to get the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines each year for two main reasons.
Dr. Natasha Baghdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical officer, said protection from vaccination declines over time, and the new vaccine provides the most up-to-date protection against that year’s strain.
“These are the latest vaccines for both influenza and the coronavirus,” Dr. Baghdasarian said. “They are updated annually based on what strains are in circulation.”
Despite the importance of the vaccine, Dr. Baghdasarian said only about 1 million people in Michigan have received the flu vaccine this year. This compares to 2 million at this time in previous years.
“One of the really sad things I’ve seen with influenza is that the percentage of people who get the flu shot in the fall has declined every year since, during and since the pandemic,” Dr. Baghdasarian said. Ta.
If you get sick, vaccines can help prevent the disease from getting worse.
“The reason to get vaccinated is that although the vaccine may not prevent all diseases, it will keep you out of the hospital and keep you out of the intensive care unit. It can prevent people from using it and, most importantly, it can prevent them from dying,” Dr. Baghdasarian said. Said.
Dr. Robert Van Howe, medical director of the Western UP Health Department, urges people to stay home if they are sick.
“If you are sick, please stay home,” Dr. Van Howe said. “There’s no need to spread this to people at work. Please stay away from your family so they don’t get sick too.”
Doctors recommend frequent hand washing and disinfection, getting enough sleep, regular exercise and wearing a mask if you have symptoms.
Influenza and coronavirus aren’t the only viruses that are transmitted during the winter.
If you are pregnant or age 65 or older, your doctor recommends that you talk to your health care provider about the RSV vaccine.
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