The state is reminding Michigan residents to get their flu shots. And they say sooner rather than later. Doctors are just beginning to see this year’s flu virus popping up in Michigan
Flu season generally runs from October to as late as May.
Last year, Michigan's vaccination rate was at 39-and-a-half percent. That was two percent lower than the national rate.
Lynn Sutfin is a spokesperson with the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Well so far it looks like we’ve got very low or sporadic flu activity across the state, so that’s a good thing, but however we know that looking at some other parts of the country they are definitely seeing a little more activity than we are so it very well could be coming our way.”
Sutfin said last year, more than 79-thousand deaths nationwide were attributed to the flu. Children under five years old, people with certain chronic conditions, pregnant women, and people over the age of 65 are most at risk.
She said the flu vaccine is the best option to reduce your chance of getting the flu and to cut your recovery time if you do get it.