The MHA participated in a press conference Aug. 17 alongside representatives from I Vaccinate, the Franny Strong Foundation, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Ascension Michigan and Pontiac Middle School, to urge families to get their kids up-to-date on routine vaccines as the new school year begins.
Vaccination rates for Michigan children ages 19 to 36 months have fallen below 70% in more than half of the state (52 of 83 counties), according to June 2023 data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR).
Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer at the MHA, encouraged families to get the safe and effective vaccines that are available to help protect their own children, as well as those who cannot get vaccinated in their communities. Speakers at the event also highlighted the latest vaccine data, the safety review processes that vaccines undergo in the U.S., the status of COVID-19 boosters and answered questions from the media regarding vaccine hesitancy and data trends.
The MHA will continue to promote vaccine safety and effectiveness information throughout the program year.
Members with vaccine questions can contact Ruthanne Sudderth.