It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week

State health officials are urging Michiganders to get a flu shot, especially since the state’s vaccination rate was no better than 42nd in the nation last year. Last flu season, only 40.8 percent of Michigan’s residents were vaccinated against the flu. This was below the national flu vaccination coverage of 45 percent. Michigan lags behind the U.S. estimates for flu vaccine coverage in every age group. Flu can be a serious disease, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes. Flu cases have been confirmed across the state and are increasing in the southeast part of Michigan according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths have already occurred in the U.S. so far this season. It takes about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine to be fully protected against the flu virus. This week is designated National Influenza Vaccination Week.  (MRN)