Michigan | Before flu season peaks, recent cases push need to vaccinate
Lansing | 26 Jan 2012
It’s not too late to get vaccinated against the flu. In recent weeks, the Michigan Department of Community Health’s (MDCH) Bureau of Laboratories has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of influenza. In light of these cases, getting vaccinated today will protect you before influenza peaks and throughout the season.
“The recent cases of flu serve as a reminder for Michiganders to get their flu vaccine – before the flu season peaks,” said Olga Dazzo, Director of the MDCH. “We encourage all Michigan citizens to get vaccinated as it truly is the single best way to protect you and your loved ones from getting the flu.”
MDCH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Being that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body’s immune response to fully kick in, the sooner the vaccine is given, the better your chance of protection.
Based on information from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, none of the individuals with confirmed flu cases received this season’s flu vaccine. The seasonal influenza viruses that have been submitted to CDC so far are well-matched to the virus strains in the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine. If this continues to be the case, this season’s vaccine should provide good protection to help protect individuals from influenza illness and serious complications resulting from influenza infections.
It is especially important that people at high risk of serious flu complications get vaccinated. So far in Michigan, over half of the cases have been in children. Children, especially those younger than 2 years of age, are at higher risk of serious flu complications such as hospitalization and death. Other high risk group individuals include pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
Vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. In addition, there are some everyday steps people can take to stop the spread of influenza, including practicing good cough etiquette, washing hands frequently and staying at home when sick. For more information about the flu, visit www.michigan.gov/flu.
There is plenty of flu vaccine available throughout the state and doctors’ offices can still order flu vaccine if needed. Locations where the vaccine is being administered include doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even in some schools. Find a flu vaccination clinic near you today with the flu vaccine finder at www.flu.gov.
Michigan | State develops first emergency preparedness curriculum for schools
Lansing MI |
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) in partnership with the Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Education recently released the Emergency Preparedness Curriculum to teach children in first through 12th grade about common hazards and disasters, and to help them develop emergency preparedness skills and safety habits.
“The Emergency Preparedness Curriculum is designed to build resiliency within our communities by empowering children with the knowledge and skills to make smart decisions before, during and after an emergency,” said Olga Dazzo, Director of the MDCH. “As our children and families become better prepared, Michigan will be better able to recover from a tornado, big snow storm or disease epidemic.”
The emergency preparedness curriculum was released to all public and private schools for the 2011-12 school year and has been integrated into the Michigan Model for Health currently being taught in more than 90 percent of Michigan’s public schools, 200 private schools and 39 other states, which utilize the Michigan Model for Health in their school systems. The Michigan Model for Health is a nationally acclaimed program that has been providing comprehensive health education to school-aged children since 1984.
The emergency preparedness program incorporates a variety of teaching techniques and learning activities to build positive lifestyle behaviors and skills like preventing and identifying dangerous situations, developing post-disaster coping skills, and how to prepare a family preparedness plan and kit.
“This program is very timely,” said Dr. Jacqueline Scott, Director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness within the MDCH. “Not only will it help to build a culture of preparedness within our communities, but the lesson plans also deal with school violence and reporting procedures. Teaching students how to recognize when something is potentially dangerous or hazardous, and to report this, is a huge step in developing an overall safer environment.”
The Emergency Preparedness project began in 2007 and is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The curriculum was developed by educators, school administrators and counselors, social workers, police officers, public health workers, school health coordinators and others throughout the State of Michigan. The lessons are aligned with the National Health Education Standards and the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations.
For more information about the Michigan Model for Health and Emergency Preparedness Curriculum, visit the Educational Materials Center. For more information about the emergency preparedness curriculum, visit www.michigan.gov/ophp, or www.mi.train.org to access supplemental educator and administrator training modules on the School Disaster Preparedness and Response Curriculum.
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