The state is urging residents to get their flu vaccine following the death of a school-aged child from Southeast Michigan. The state Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) says it’s the first influenza-associated pediatric death of the 2015-2016 flu season. MDHHS officials say it’s an unfortunate reminder of how serious flu can be and the need to get vaccinated. Chief Medical Executive for the MDHHS, Doctor Eden Wells, says vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu, and there is still time to get vaccinated this flu season. She also says there is still plenty of flu vaccine available. In the 2014-2015 flu season, only 44 percent of Michigan residents were vaccinated against flu, putting Michigan in 40th place in the country. MDHHS urges residents to make sure they protect themselves and their families against getting flu this season.
