Health Department Media Room
| Media inquiries about health department items should be directed to Shannon Felgner. (616) 494-5597. You can also follow us on Twitter @miOCHD and our Facebook Page. |
| Subscribe to receive health department press releases! |
Current Press Releases & Media Advisories
December 6, 2011Media Contacts:
Shannon Felgner, Ottawa County Health Department , 616-494-5597
Sue Schryber, Ottawa County Health Department, 616-393-5736
Mid-Season Flu Vaccinations: West Michigan Ranks High (Ottawa County, MI) – Mid-season estimates of flu vaccination coverage were released Friday by the Michigan Department of Community Health indicating that Ottawa County residents are doing well getting vaccinated this year. According to the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, vaccine coverage rates are as follows in Ottawa County:
| Age Group | Coverage | Rank | Coverage-Statewide Average |
| Children 6 months - 4 years | 46.3% | 1 of 45 | 30.3% |
| Children 5-12 years | 29.2% | 5 of 45 | 19.7% |
| Children 13-18 years | 14.5% | 7 of 45 | 10.2% |
| Children 6 months – 18 years | 28.0% | 5 of 45 | n/a |
| Adults 65+ | 41.4% | 1 of 45 | 17.8% |
| Residents All Ages | 19.3% | 1 of 45 | 11.0% |
Statewide, the flu vaccine coverage is down slightly (-8.5%) compared to this time last year with 1,109,213 doses administered. The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the illness, and there is still plenty of time to receive the vaccine. Residents should ask their primary health care provider for the vaccine, or seek it at a pharmacy or walk-in clinic. Hand washing, staying home while sick and careful cough etiquette are also helpful in preventing the spread of influenza. For more information visit MiOttawa.org/flu.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
