COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – As fall arrives and respiratory virus season gets underway, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ CHA) has announced that updated vaccinations are now available at all agency offices.
To help residents protect themselves, the agency is offering vaccines for COVID-19, flu, RSV, pneumonia, and pertussis.
Medical Director Dr. Karen Luparello emphasized that these updated flu and COVID-19 formulas target currently circulating variants to help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
Residents are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers or an agency public health nurse to determine the appropriate vaccine schedule for their family and find out if multiple shots can be administered during a single visit.
To ensure broad access, the agency accepts Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medicare (Parts B and D), and numerous commercial insurance plans.
Additionally, free or low-cost options are available for uninsured or underinsured residents through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for individuals age 18 and under, as well as the Michigan Adult Vaccine Program (MI-AVP) for those age 19 and older.
Health officials also remind the public that immunization should be paired with everyday preventive actions—such as staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, and disinfecting surfaces.
According to the CDC, anyone experiencing a respiratory illness should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication and take extra precautions for the following five days to protect others.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling the local agency offices in Branch, Hillsdale, or St. Joseph counties.
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