Hepatitis B, Covid, Influenza, Shingles, Measles

Hepatitis B

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 5, 2025. MDHHS issues statement on hepatitis B vaccine LANSING, Mich. – Vaccines play a critical role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and have led to the eradication of several diseases and significant reductions in illnesses and fatalities. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services strongly disagrees with the decision made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices today to delay the hepatitis B birth dose and urges families and providers to follow the immunization schedules from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.Nearly 1.6 million people in the United States are estimated to be chronically infected with hepatitis B virus, with about half not realizing they have the virus. Infection can be transmitted through casual contact with blood or certain body fluids, including through contact sports, sharing of towels, toothbrushes or razors and contaminated medical equipment. The hepatitis B virus causes 22,000 infections and 2,000 deaths annually across the U.S. Hepatitis B attacks the liver, and about 90% of infants infected at birth develop chronic hepatitis B infection, with 1 in 4 of these children dying prematurely from liver disease. Proven to be safe and effective in its use over the past 20 years, since the universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth was adopted in 2002, hepatitis B disease among children and adolescents has virtually been eliminated. According to studies, delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine will lead to new infections and lifelong disease for tens of thousands of children.#

Covid 19 Vaccine –  Make an informed decision!

Vaccine effectiveness:  Covid-19 vaccination provided additional protection against Covid-19 associated emergency department and urgent care visits among children.  Covid-19 associated emergency department and urgent care visits among adults, Covid-19 associated hospitalizations among adults aged _>65 with and without immunocompromising conditions.  COVID-19 associated critical illness among adults aged >_ 65 years.  Protection appeared to be higher and more durable against critical illness compared to less severe outcome.  

Vaccine effectiveness should be interpreted as the added benefit of the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccination in a population with high levels of infection-induced immunity, vaccine-induced immunity or both.  Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection contributes protection against future disease, though protection wanes over time.  

Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection who had received a COVID-19 vaccination within prior 6 months had lower risk of transmitting to other household contacts. Vaccine effectiveness was 45% at reducing transmission to others.

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness & Side Effects

Blue Water Immunization Partnership (BWIP) is a nonprofit group of community members who represent a wide range of public and private industry, including health and human service organizations and businesses, physicians, university professors, dentist and concerned citizens from all over St Clair County.  Our goal is to share accurate information about vaccines and improve the immunity in our community. We hope this information is helpful to you as you navigate the 2025-2026 respiratory season.

Myocarditis data. Although ALL COVID vaccines  (including Nuvaxovid) are a rare cause of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), the problem appears to be short lived and self resolving.  Myocarditis following COVID infection, on the other hand, is far more common and far more severe than that following vaccination. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that the risk of myocarditis after COVID-19 infection is approximately 42 times higher than the risk after COVID-19 vaccination.In the age group most at risk of COVID-19 vaccine myocarditis (12–29 years), for every 100 000 vaccinated, compared to about four more cases of myocarditis we have 56 fewer hospitalizations, 13.8 admissions to intensive care and 0.6 fewer deaths. Several studies have shown that post vaccine myocarditis/pericarditis are generally short-lasting phenomena with favorable clinically course. 

Galea N, Cundari G, Di Dedda E, Chimenti C, Aquaro GD, Barison A, Cau R, Di Cesare E, Di Renzi P, Esposito A, Faletti R, Gatti M, Liguori C, Lovato L, Mantini C, Monti CB, Palmisano A, Pradella S, Ricci F, Saba L, Secchi F, Catalano C, Francone M. Short term outcome of myocarditis and pericarditis following COVID-19 vaccines: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2023 May;39(5):1031-1043..

Verdecchia P, Coiro S, Notaristefano F, Santucci A, De Angelis F, D’Ammando M, Angeli F. Cardiac complications of COVID-19 vaccination: now we know more. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2022 Nov 12;24(Suppl I):I190-I196

Medical Specialty groups that have endorsed broader application of covid vaccination:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends COVID-19 vaccination as follows:

  • Completion of an initial vaccination series for everyone ages 6 -23 months of age, or a single dose for those under age 2 years who previously completed their initial series.
  • Two or more doses for children 6 months – 18 years of age who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
  • A single dose for all children and adolescents 2-18 years of age who are at high risk for severe COVID-19, residents of long-term care facilities or other congregate settings, persons who have never been vaccinated against COVID-19, or persons whose household contacts are at high risk for severe COVID-19
  • Children 2-18 years of age whose parent or guardian desires protection from COVID-19 for their child should be offered a single dose. 

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

For protection against COVID-19, the AAFP recommends that all adults 18 years and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine, especially those who are 65 years and older, at increased risk for severe COVID-19 infection, or who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine previously. 

Aligning with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) 2025 immunization recommendations, the AAFP supports ongoing COVID-19 vaccination for any family wanting to be vaccinated. It is recommended that all children aged 6 to 23 months receive a COVID-19 vaccine. For those aged 2 to 18 years, a risk-based single dose approach should be implemented. 

Additionally, the AAFP endorses COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant patients during any trimester and during lactation, consistent with the 2025 maternal immunization guidance by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

Eligibility: 

 In her recent  recommendation, Dr.Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive of the State of Michigan stated, “Any person over the age of six months without contraindication who has not received a dose of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved or -authorized 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine may be considered to have an underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19 and is thus eligible to receive an age-appropriate dose.”

Other high risk conditions include (and this list is NOT exhaustive).  Risk of severe outcomes is increased in people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions and in people who are 50 years and older, with risk increasing substantially at ages >65 years.4,5 Residents of long-term care facilities are also at increased risk, making up less than 1% of the U.S. population but accounting for more than 35% of all COVID-19 deaths. Once infected, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to be hospitalized, be admitted to the ICU, and die from COVID-19 at younger ages.17

Disabilities: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism, Cerebral palsy, Charcot foot, Chromosomal disorders,  Chromosome 17 and 19 deletion, Chromosome 18q deletion, Cognitive impairment, Congenital hydrocephalus, Congenital malformations, Deafness/hearing loss, Disability indicated by Barthel Index, Down syndrome, Fahr’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Gaucher disease, Hand and foot disorders, Learning disabilities, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) or Autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA), Leigh syndrome, Limitations with self-care or activities of daily living, Maternal inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD), Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and risk markers, Mobility disability, Movement disorders, Multiple disability (referred to in research papers as “bedridden disability”), Multisystem disease, Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF), Myotonic dystrophy, Neurodevelopmental disorders, Neuromuscular disorders, Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), Neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP), Perinatal spastic hemiparesis, Primary mitochondrial myopathy (PMM), Progressive supranuclear palsy, Senior-Loken syndrome, Severe and complex disability (referred to in research papers as “polyhandicap disability”), Spina bifida and other nervous system anomalies, Spinal cord injury, Tourette syndrome, Traumatic brain injury, Visual impairment/blindness, Wheelchair use

Epilepsy, Asthma

Cancer

Cerebrovascular disease

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic Lung Disease: Bronchiectasis, COPD, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary HTN

Chronic liver disease: cirrhosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis

Cystic Fibrosis

Diabetes: Type I and II

Heart conditions

Hemophilia

HIV

Mental Health conditions: mood disorders including depression, schizophrenia

Neurological conditions:  dementia and Parkinson’s 

Obesity (BMI>30)

Overweight (BMI>25 but <30 kg/m2

Physical inactivity

Pregnancy and recent pregnancy

Primary immunodeficiencies

Sickle Cell disease

Smoking: current and former

Substance Use Disorders

Solic organ or blood stem cell transplantation

Tuberculosis

Use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives

Influenza vaccine and RSV recommendations have not changed. 

Everyone more than 6 months of age should receive an updated seasonal influenza vaccine at the dose and formulation appropriate for age.    Flu Update in Michigan, Jan. 21 2026: The spread of flu-like illness is now considered very high in Michigan—and in 18 other states—according to the latest CDC report.

A newer flu strain, called H3N2 subclade K, is a mutated version of Flu A, which is usually the type that circulates in the fall and winter. Flu A and Flu B feel pretty similar, and both can lead to serious complications like pneumonia. That said, they can affect babies, kids, and older adults a bit differently. Link to the Detroit Free Press Jan 21, 2026: https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2026/01/06/super-flu-subclade-k-michigan-influenza-cdc/88045061007/?utm_campaign=4679202-MALPH&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_PIaXd0_H8DWBjdiOWouGbEp86TwK8SyD-d6wZDATDZyQ0Lq91oHD5qN5tJIRdifF5BI3KeZG9urD2VIfHHoVexMSAXQ&_hsmi=398926449&utm_content=398926449&utm_source=hs_email

Shingles

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054es

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11036-shingles

https://www.chop.edu/search?text=shingles

Measles

Measles – What is the MMR Vaccine?
The M-M-R II vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine designed to protect against three viruses, measles, mumps and rubella (you may have heard rubella called German measles).
This vaccine contains one strain each of measles, mumps and rubella viruses. These viruses have been weakened in a laboratory.
These weakened viruses stimulate an immune response but don’t cause disease in most healthy individuals.
The immune response stimulated by this vaccine triggers a person to produce antibodies and immune memory cells. These protect a person if they later encounter infectious, disease-causing versions of the viruses.

What are the ingredients in the MMR Vaccine?

Active ingredients: Weakened strains of measles, mumps and rubella. These have been lyophilized (freeze-dried) to extend their shelf life and make them more easy to transport.
Stabilizers: The following ingredients are added to the vaccine to stabilize the active ingredients and lengthen their shelf life. They also protect the active ingredients during the lyophilization process and from temperature changes during storage and transport.
Sorbitol and Sucrose. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in some fruits and is also produced by the body. Sucrose is commonly known as table sugar.
Hydrolyzed gelatin – Hydrolyzed gelatin is a broken down and highly purified form of gelatin. It is added to stabilize the vaccine ingredients.
Residual byproducts: Very small amounts (less than 0.3 milligrams) of the following are left over from the production of the attenuated viruses in the laboratory.
Recombinant human albumin (a protein), and fetal bovine (cow) serum (blood). These proteins used to feed the cells in which attenuated viruses are grown.
Neomycin – An antibiotic used to prevent contamination during the production process.
NOTE: The MMR vaccine DOES NOT contain mercury, aluminum or formaldehyde.

Who should get the MMR Vaccine:
Children:
First dose at 12-15 months.
Second dose at age 4 through 6 years BEORE school entry.
Children can receive their second dose earlier than this, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.
Adults born 1957 or later who do not have laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of prior measles, mumps and rubella infections.
One dose usually is sufficient

Who does not need a MMR vaccine?
Adults born before 1957
Those with laboratory evidence of immunity or confirmation of prior measles, mumps and rubella infections.

Who should not get the MMR Vaccine:
Anyone who is pregnant
Anyone who has had a severe allergic to a previous dose of the MMR vaccine or a MMR vaccine component
Individuals who are severely immunosuppressed due to therapy or disease.

https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center Video “Shot in the Arm” Part 1

Report from the Vaccine Integrity Project https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/sites/default/files/VIP-FullReport_Final_7-25.pdf measles What is the MMR Vaccine?
The M-M-R II vaccine is a live-attenuated vaccine designed to protect against three viruses, measles, mumps and rubella (you may have heard rubella called German measles).
This vaccine contains one strain each of measles, mumps and rubella viruses. These viruses have been weakened in a laboratory.
These weakened viruses stimulate an immune response but don’t cause disease in most healthy individuals.
The immune response stimulated by this vaccine triggers a person to produce antibodies and immune memory cells. These protect a person if they later encounter infectious, disease-causing versions of the viruses.

Scroll to Top