COVID-19 Vaccine for Everyone 6 Months and Older Resources

Dear Michigan Immunizers,

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) appreciates your continued efforts to combat COVID-19. We recognize your diligence to ensure Michiganders are protected against COVID-19 and its emerging variants. On June 23^rd, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation to expand the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to include children ages 6 through 17 years. ACIP now recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive the age appropriate Moderna OR Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series.     

Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines’ safety and effectiveness have been confirmed by clinical studies and by the millions of people who have already received them. As occurs for all vaccines—including all COVID-19 vaccines—safety monitoring will continue in all ages for whom Moderna and/or Pfizer vaccines are recommended and authorized.

You will find attached some helpful flyers to share with families when discussing the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Why Vaccinate Your Child (attachment)
• Citations: ACIP Review and Recommendation, MI Data and Modeling Slides
• Reduce Child’s Fear (attachment)
• Additional Facts:
• Children 6 mo. to 4 years of age are hospitalized and die at a higher rate from COVID-19 than other vaccine-preventable diseases
• Among children less than 5 years of age COVID-19 was the 5^th leading cause of death

 Additional resources related to the recommendations:

• Updated Interim Clinical Considerations
• Updated web pages for the public, including:

• Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines
• COVID-19 Vaccines for People who are Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised
• American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on COVID-19 Vaccine in Infants, Children, and Adolescents, supporting vaccination for children of all ages.
• The Pediatricians and Family Physicians Toolkit: including a sample letter to parents, pediatrician talking points, posters and flyers that can be hung in offices and waiting rooms, as well as digital communications like social media posts and sample text messages.
• Kids COVID Vaccine—Michigan: great resources and FAQs, including linked information from the IVaccinate website.
• New PSA in English and Spanish, announcing the new vaccine authorization for children 6 months and older, and a one-pager that describes some of the most effective messages when communicating with parents about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Why Vaccinate Your Child v2.pdf
• Reduce Child's Fear v3.pdf

Thank you for all you have done and are doing to combat this pandemic—together we can ensure that Michigan children stay healthy and safe during this pandemic and beyond.

Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) Immunization Action Plan Program (IAP)