Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive, Ensuring Michiganders Can Access Vaccines to Stay Healthy Ahead of Cold, COVID-19, and Flu Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 17, 2025 

Contact: press@michigan.gov 

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive, Ensuring Michiganders Can Access Vaccines to Stay Healthy Ahead of Cold, COVID-19, and Flu Season

LANSING, Mich.—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive, ensuring vaccines remain available to Michiganders as we approach the fall. Specifically, she has instructed state agencies to identify and remove any barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccines, so Michiganders can stay healthy ahead of cold and flu season. Governor Whitmer remains committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of every Michigander and their families.  

“Cold, flu, and COVID-19 season are upon us. We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe and healthy,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today’s executive directive ensures Michiganders can get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to medical experts, vaccines remain the most effective way to stay healthy. I’m committed to providing Michiganders with the best options for their families. Let’s keep working together to protect our families and ourselves.” 

“This cold, flu, and COVID-19 season, we’re working to help every Michigan family protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This executive directive will ensure state agencies connect Michiganders with vaccines, which according to medical experts are the best way to stay healthy and safe. Let’s keep Standing Tall for a healthier, more prosperous Michigan.” 

“It is incredibly important for Michiganders to get vaccinated this cold, flu, and COVID-19 season,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “Protecting ourselves from cold, flu, and COVID-19 also protects our loved ones, our hospitals, health care workers, and so many more. With this executive directive, we’re connecting Michiganders with trusted resources from medical experts and helping more families get the safe and effective flu and COVID-19 vaccines. We encourage Michiganders to speak with their healthcare providers as they prepare for this season. Let’s do our part to stay healthy and keep Michigan strong.” 

Executive Directive Expanding Access to Vaccinations 

Governor Whitmer’s executive directive instructs multiple Michigan departments to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccination is available to Michiganders. Specifically, departments will: 

• Issue clear, accessible guidance to pharmacists, providers, and the public about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

• Issue guidance instructing pharmacists and providers to encourage prescribing and administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients. 

• Identify, review, and remove barriers to vaccine access to ensure COVID-19 vaccines remain widely available in Michigan. 

• Ensuring to the extent possible that all health insurance plans under MDHHS and DIFS regulatory authority - including Medicaid and insurance plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets - cover COVID-19 vaccines.   

Routine vaccination promotes the health and safety of all Michiganders. When individuals in our state choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine they protect themselves, their families and neighbors from illness, hospitalization and death. This important decision should be between a person and their healthcare provider.    

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians have all made evidence-based recommendations that make clear that vaccination remains a safe and effective means for protecting against COVID infection. These recommendations are consistent with prior guidance and reflect the scientific consensus regarding the safety and benefits of immunization.  

Research conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services supports these conclusions. According to their study, the 2023–2024 vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19-associated emergency room and urgent care visits by 65-70% for children in the first two months after vaccination. 

Supporting Michiganders’ Access to Affordable Health Care 

Governor Whitmer is committed to protecting and expanding Michiganders’ access to affordable health care. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has:  

• Extended Healthy Michigan Plan to over one million people, and eliminated red tape, lowering costs for working families. 

• Signed bills codifying the Affordable Care Act into state law, protecting care for millions. 

• Signed a budget that increased reimbursement rates to Medicaid so more Michiganders can access Medicaid services, expanded access to mental health services at schools, and expanded Plan First! which strengthens reproductive freedom for and helps 25,000 Michiganders. 

• Signed an executive directive instructing departments to find ways to lower costs and protect coverage for Michiganders at risk of losing coverage for health care. 

• Signed a bill lowering the cost of prescription drugs and increasing pharmacy oversight. 

• Established the Racial Disparities Task Force, making Michigan a national leader in closing health equity gaps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

To view the full executive directive, click here. 

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