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State’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian makes standing recommendation on respiratory virus vaccines
October 15, 2026
Continues COVID-19 vaccine standing recommendation
LANSING, Mich. – To help protect the health of Michigan families this cold and flu season, the state’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian has issued a standing recommendation that the state’s health care providers should refer to the respiratory virus immunization recommendations compiled by the American Medical Association (AMA) when determining which vaccines their patients should receive and the timing for their administration.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers additional information about this guidance which applies to the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season:
“Vaccines against COVID‑19, RSV and influenza won’t prevent every illness this winter – there are many other respiratory viruses circulating – but each vaccine provides important protection against viruses known to cause serious disease,” said Bagdasarian. “While vaccination may not stop mild infections, it can significantly reduce the risk of emergency department visits, hospitalization and even death. I strongly recommend Michiganders stay up to date on vaccines. If you have questions about which vaccines are right for you, talk with your health care provider.”
The AMA’s recommendations are aligned with evidence and guidance from the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vaccine Integrity Project and Infectious Diseases Society of America.
In addition, Bagdasarian noted that the COVID-19 standing recommendation issued Sept. 19, 2025, remains in effect for the 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine.
The recommendation states, “Any person over the age of six months without contraindication who has not received a dose of a Food and Drug Administration-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.”
To learn more about COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory illnesses and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDFluRSV.
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