MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette County Health Department is urging the public to get vaccinated following a rise in respiratory illness.
According to the MCHD there are currently 12 patients, including 2 children, hospitalized with respiratory illnesses. The cases are a mix of Covid-19, Flu, and RSV. The health department says the hospitalization number is not out of the ordinary, but with less than 40% of the above 75 population being vaccinated there is concern for more severe cases. Officials fear that as illness spreads unvaccinated people who have previous medical conditions could be at risk of severe illness.
Doctors say receiving a Flu or Covid vaccine can decrease the chance of hospitalization or death by up to 75 percent.
“1 out of 1,000 adults have the chance of being hospitalized, that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but if you took the flu vaccination we could decrease that number by half or maybe 75%,” said Dr. Bob Lorinser the Medical Director of the Marquette County Health Department.
The MCHD hosts vaccination clinics and has resources to help find vaccination sites. To find out where to get vaccinated and how to set an appointment visit here
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