COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – There is new leadership for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Board of Health following their annual organizational meeting last Thursday.
Brent Leininger was chosen as the new Board Chair while Rick Shaffer was selected as Vice Chair. Both were unopposed.
The Board by-laws calls for the three counties served by the agency to have officers on a rotating basis.
It was Hillsdale County’s turn to have a board member serve as Chair for 2026 while the Vice Chair would be from St. Joseph County.
In other business, Health Officer Rebecca Burns reported their biggest concern right now is influenza. She said there have been 17 flu-associated pediatric deaths around the country for the 2025-26 season. None in Michigan have been confirmed at this point.
Burns says the influenza vaccine is still widely available and is encouraged for everyone six months of age and older.
Personal Health and Disease Prevention Director Heidi Hazel reported 25 percent of Michigan residents are vaccinated for Influenza while 8-point-6 percent are vaccinated for COVID-19 and 43-point-5 of residents over the age of 75 are vaccinated for RSV.
She said as of January 9, the Influenza Like Activity levels for Michigan are at the top of the scale and considered “very high”. Officials expect activity to continue for several weeks and peak in February.
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