Preparations are underway for the 2021 flu season.

Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine suggests that parental beliefs about flu vaccinations may not be impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “Our report finds that even during the pandemic, some parents don’t see the flu vaccine as more urgent or necessary. Only 28% of parents who did not get their children a flu shot in 2019, indicated their child is likely to receive the flu shot this year. The poll found that only one-third of parents believe giving their child the flu vaccine this year is more important in comparison to previous years. Find the Mott Poll Report here.

Every year, people ask me well into December or January if it’s too late to get a flu shot. Flu shots are readily available at retail pharmacies, doctor’s offices and local health departments. Pediatrician’s offices have flu shots for children, and they made it easier for pharmacists to vaccinate children over age 3. All have been updated to better match the viruses expected to be circulating this flu season. There also are flu shots recommended for those 6 months and older.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will hold a press conference on Wednesday to announce an expansion of the city’s speed cushion program, as well as a flu shot campaign. Watch the event live at 1:45 p.m. in the video player above. The Mayor will also be joined by representatives from local health networks Henry Ford Health System, Ascension Health and the Detroit Medical Center to kick-off an aggressive flu vaccination campaign targeted at increasing the number of people vaccinated and reducing cases of seasonal influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair and Mayor Duggan will also receive their flu vaccinations during the briefing.

Gretchen Whitmer is already looking ahead to the cold weather months and expressed her concerns about the intersection of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the flu. Whitmer said she wants to prevent that combination from wreaking havoc across the state. During Tuesday’s press briefing, Whitmer got her flu shot on stage and encouraged Michigan residents to do the same this year. “When we all get our flu vaccine, we can help keep thousands of flu patients out of the hospitals and prevent overcrowding,” Whitmer said. “The economy in Michigan is operating at 87% of where it was in early March, so that’s a powerful story to tell,” Whitmer said.