Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 21, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov 

State of Michigan sets COVID-19 booster goal, outlines
actions to protect yourself and family from Omicron variant
State’s goal is to administer boosters to 1 million more Michiganders and 95% of eligible
nursing home residents, MDHHS working to surge resources and personnel

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Today, the State of Michigan announced a statewide goal to have 1 million more Michiganders, including 95% of eligible nursing home residents, receive the safe, effective COVID-19 booster by Jan. 31, 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel also outlined actions Michiganders can take to keep themselves and their families safe this holiday season.

“As Omicron becomes the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States, we all have to step up this holiday season to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our hospitals and health care workers have been working tirelessly to save lives, and we are in for a tough four to six weeks. We must all take action to protect ourselves and help our healthcare workers and hospitals do their jobs. I encourage every Michigander who is eligible to get their booster shot. Together, we can help 1 million more Michiganders, including 95% of all eligible nursing home residents get their boosters by the end of January 2022. We know from preliminary data that the booster offers more robust protection against Omicron. A 15-minute appointment to get your booster can help keep you out of the hospital and save your life. If you still have not gotten vaccinated yet, know that it is not a matter of if you will get sick but of when. We have safe and effective vaccines. Please get your shots.”

“Today, we remain at a severe point in the pandemic. As the more transmissible Omicron variant continues to spread, now is the time for everyone to make sure you have plans for the holidays that will keep you and your family safe into the New Year and make sure we all have access to care if we need it,” said Hertel. “We have been surging staffing, requesting more resources, and prioritizing keeping Michiganders safe. None of us can predict whether we will get mild or severe symptoms or find ourselves facing long COVID symptoms. Even otherwise healthy and young people can get sick or end up needing care, so it is important that everyone use all the proven prevention strategies at our disposal. If you are gathering with family, friends or traveling to a bowl game, be extra vigilant, get vaccinated, get tested and wear a mask to keep yourself and your family safe.”

Actions for Michiganders to Take

• Get your vaccine. Get your booster. Find an appointment at Vaccines.gov
• Mask up in public indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings. Upgrade your mask to something with additional layers such as a KN95 mask or wear two well-fitting face coverings.
• For holiday gatherings with friends or family, immunocompromised people should take all precautions of unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask. If a member of your household has a weakened immune system, wear a mask. If you have symptoms consistent with for COVID-19 or if you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and before any unmasked gatherings, get tested.

MDHHS Actions

The department is working with local, state and federal partners to support health systems, address the surge and save lives with every available resource. MDHHS has been coordinating the allocation and monitoring of federally distributed Monoclonal Antibody medication, working on expansion and identifying staffing resources for sites. They are also supplementing mechanical ventilators to meet demand in ICUs and surging local supplies of PPE.

Current Statistics

Michigan’s positivity rate has decreased but remains relatively high at 16.2%, a reflection of our high transmission levels. Cases are at 477 cases per million and have been rising and falling over and over, but at an elevated level. This is a number we expect to rise as the Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly. Over the past month, 30- to 39-years-olds were experiencing the highest case rate and there were increases in hospital admissions among most age groups under 50. The percent of inpatient hospital beds occupied by individuals with COVID is now at 20.8%. This number has been increasing for 22 weeks and the mortality rate is high too – from Dec. 3 to 9, there were 756 COVID deaths.

Risks for Unvaccinated Michiganders

In October, unvaccinated people had 4.3 times the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 and 13.2 times the risk of dying from COVID-19 than people who were fully vaccinated.

From Jan. 3 – Dec. 15, 2021, people who were unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated represented: 85.1% of COVID-19 cases, 88.1% of hospitalizations and 85.5% of deaths.

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• Booster goal NR.pdf

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 15, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS urges Michiganders to get vaccinated, boosted and start the New Year on the right track to fight COVID-19

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding Michiganders to get their booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Booster doses are available six months after the primary Pfizer or Moderna series, and two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Getting the COVID-19 vaccines and receiving a booster dose gives protection against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Just one year after the first vaccine was given, Michigan and the United States remains deeply impacted by the virus, but now those who are unvaccinated continue to contract and spread the virus at disproportionate rates. In the last 30 days of complete Michigan data (Oct 21 – Nov 19), 97,310 (71%) of 137,472 cases, 1,134 (72%) of 1,584 hospitalized cases, and 588 (76%) of 772 deaths were among individuals not fully vaccinated.

“We have the tool to get out of the pandemic, but people are choosing not to use it and are continuing to spread a virus that we have the capability to manage at this point,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Vaccines are our best defense against the virus, along with continuing to wear masks in indoor public settings and getting tested before any unmasked gatherings. Now is the time to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Get vaccinated and boosted as soon as you are eligible. We need you to take responsibility and do your part to end this pandemic.”

Michiganders age 16 and 17 are eligible to receive a Pfizer booster, and those over 18 can choose which booster they prefer. It takes about two weeks to receive full protection after the booster dose – meaning critical extra protection will be available before Dec. 31.

The COVID-19 booster dose may be given with other vaccines, including the flu vaccine, at the same time.

Michiganders should bring their COVID-19 vaccine card or immunization record with them when getting their booster dose, which are available at any vaccine provider. Downloadable immunization records are accessible free of charge at the Michigan Immunization Portal. Visit Michigan.gov/MiImmsportal and upload a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport. If you do not have records in the portal, contact your health care provider or local health department.

Find a booster at VaccineFinder.org.

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

For more information about COVID-19 in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 14, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS issues Requests for Proposals for

human trafficking programming expansion

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide services to expand and strengthen victim service programs for survivors of human sex and labor trafficking by building capacity in eligible organizations that have more limited experience in serving victims of human trafficking.

The Human Trafficking Victims Services Expansion Pilot Program RFP supports an increase in organizational capacity in the first award period, from March 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2022. In subsequent award periods, the grant supports a wide range of services to human sex and labor trafficking survivors.

This RFP is open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, including faith-based organizations, that have at least one year of experience in delivering human trafficking victims services or working with human trafficking organizations in their communities. A total of $500,000, subject to continued availability of funding, will be awarded over a three-year period, with the first year focusing on increasing organizational capacity. In the first award period, MDHHS anticipates issuing up to three awards with a maximum of $55,555 per award, at a total of $166,665.

Funded applicants will receive ongoing technical assistance from the MDHHS project coordinator. Technical assistance will include help with program start-up, reporting requirements and barriers to program implementation.

Grant applications for the Human Trafficking Victims Services Expansion Pilot Program RFP must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS program by 3 p.m. on Jan. 13, 2022.

For more information or to apply, visit the EGrAMS website and select “About EGrAMS” link in the left panel to access the “Competitive Application Instructions” training manual. The complete RFP can be accessed under the ‘Current Grants’ section under the “Bureau of Community Services” link and selecting the “HTEPP-2022” grant program.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 9, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS offers mental health resources to combat winter blues this holiday season

LANSING, Mich. – As Michigan enters a second holiday season during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials are offering tips and resources to help Michiganders cope with winter, or seasonal, blues that are common at this time of year.

“The shorter, darker days of winter can be difficult for many people,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “This season often deepens anxiety, depression and feelings of grief or isolation – especially after everything we’ve experienced these past two years. It is always okay to ask for help, and our department has resources available.”

Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS medical director for behavioral health and forensic programs, observed residents are feeling the emotional strain of prolonged pandemic distress.

“People are struggling with the exhaustion of how long we have been dealing with this pandemic, and they’re worried about what will happen in the future,” Pinals said. “We generally see an uptick in depression and grief during the winter months, and COVID-19 certainly isn’t helping. The winter blues is a spectrum of mental health conditions. It can range from simply feeling out of sorts or lonely to full-blown clinical depression with suicidal thoughts. We need to remind ourselves that self-care is critical and to give ourselves permission to take time for ourselves. Suicidal thoughts should not be ignored. People who do reach out for help are generally grateful for the support in getting through a difficult time.”

MDHHS offers the following tips for those suffering from winter blues:

• Stay active, even if it is doing small things each day.
• Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.
• Keep a schedule and try to get fresh air every day.
• Try to find a small pleasure for yourself within each day.
• Avoid using too much alcohol and avoid drugs.
• Create a buddy system to have someone you can call when you feel down.
• Set boundaries on how you want to spend your time in a way that works for you. Be respectful of others who may want things from you, but remember to take care of yourself.
• Seek professional help if you need it.

For a free, confidential conversation with a trained Stay Well crisis counselor, dial 888-535-6136 and press “8” at the prompt. The phone line is open 24/7 for any Michigan resident.

Visit Michigan.gov/StayWell to locate the nearest community mental health services program office, register for a virtual support group or access helpful brochures and recorded webinars.

Residents in Oakland County and the Upper Peninsula can get free, 24/7 behavioral health crisis triage, support, resource information and referral to local services through the Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL). Call or text 844-44-MICAL (844-446-4225). Chat is also available through Michigan.gov/MiCAL.

Michigan residents with serious mental illness or substance use challenges wishing to speak with someone who understands these issues can call the Michigan Warmline at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). The service is available from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

If you or a loved one is concerned about suicide, call 800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.