In case you missed our alert last week: On January 5, the CDC scaled back the number of vaccines recommended for all kids. Some praised the move and used it to justify false claims about vaccine safety. Others supported Michigan’s decision to continue recommending the full schedule.
We’ll continue to monitor how conversations about childhood vaccines evolve. Meanwhile, here’s what we’re seeing across Michigan conversations this month:
Vaccines: Rising flu cases in Michigan fueled false claims about vaccine effectiveness, with some minimizing how dangerous the flu can be.
Mental health: Social media users discussed the high risk of suicide among Michigan farmers.
Family planning: Posts circulated about a 2025 Michigan law that lets pharmacists prescribe certain types of birth control.
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Vaccines
Posts downplay flu risk as Michigan cases skyrocket
What’s happening:
Recent news articles warned that flu cases in Michigan have reached “very high” levels, with thousands of flu-related hospitalizations reported in the state this season.
In response, some Michigan social media users promoted flu vaccination and encouraged people to stay home when sick. Others downplayed the severity of the flu and falsely claimed that the flu vaccine doesn’t work because it isn’t a perfect match to this season’s strain.
Why this matters:
Michigan is seeing a 40 percent increase in flu-related hospitalizations compared to this time last year. As of January 3, about a quarter of residents had received a flu vaccine. Urging people to get vaccinated can still help prevent the most serious outcomes from the flu.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu. It’s especially dangerous for older adults, young children, pregnant people, and people with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes.
This season’s flu vaccine is still the best protection. It helps prevent severe flu illness, hospitalization, and death, especially as a new strain is causing more severe symptoms.
Flu season lasts several more months, so it’s not too late to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine is approved and recommended for everyone 6 months and older. In Michigan, you can get vaccinated at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and local health departments.
Feeling sick? Stay home and away from others, especially people at high risk.
Share this in response
Suggested caption:
Flu cases are high in Michigan, so you’re probably hearing lots of complaints of cough, sore throat, and fever. If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, it’s not too late. Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce how sick you get and prevent serious problems and hospitalization, even with a new strain circulating. It’s approved for everyone 6 months and older. Find flu vaccines for your family at many pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and local health departments.
Michigan social media users discuss suicide risk among farmers
What’s happening:
In December, news articles reported that farmers have one of the highest rates of suicide in Michigan and that Michigan State University Extension ended its farmer suicide prevention program last fall due to state budget cuts.
Social media users expressed dismay over the program’s loss, which had offered farmers financial support for therapy and free mental health workshops.
Posts also discussed risk factors affecting farmers in the state, including financial and environmental stress and a shortage of mental health providers in rural areas.
Why this matters:
Farmer suicide rates in Michigan are more than five times higher than the overall state rate. Many farmers may not know what free mental health resources are still available.
Helpful messaging to share right now:
Farmers don’t have to struggle alone. Check out free, online options like Man Therapy, which offers online mental health support for men and their families, and MSU Extension’s Rural Resilience course, which teaches how to recognize the warning signs of stress.
If you need help with food, housing, bills, or family crises, call or text 211 or search for resources on the Michigan 211 website.
If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or just need to talk to someone, call or text the free 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline any time to talk with a trained counselor.
Share this in response
Suggested caption:
Are you a farmer struggling with your mental health? You’re not alone, and there is help available that understands the stress you’re under. Options include:
-ManTherapy.org, which offers online mental health support for men and their families.
Posts highlight 2025 Michigan law allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control
What’s happening:
In recent weeks, Michigan social media users discussed a 2025 law that allows pharmacists to directly prescribe certain types of birth control, including pills, patches, and the birth control ring. As of December 2025, insurers are also required to cover those prescriptions.
Some commenters expressed support for easier access, while others questioned whether pharmacists are qualified to prescribe birth control and falsely claimed that birth control pills cause infertility and cancer.
Why this matters:
Conversations about birth control often raise questions about access. Community members may not know that Michigan pharmacists are now a resource for getting certain types of contraception.
In Michigan, you can now get a same-day prescription for certain types of birth control—like pills, patches, or the ring—directly from a pharmacist. If you have health insurance, your prescription will be covered.
You can also find local health centers that offer birth control through the Office of Population Affairs.
Share this in response
Suggested caption:
It’s now easier to get birth control quickly in Michigan. You can get a prescription directly from a pharmacist, and if you have health insurance, it will be covered. You can also access birth control through local health centers, online at Planned Parenthood’s Virtual Health Center (bit.ly/44rKmVV), or via home delivery by Planned Parenthood Direct (bit.ly/4cME3hV).
The CDC changed its childhood vaccine recommendations. Here’s what families should know.
As last week’s changes continue to cause confusion among parents, share this article to explain that all childhood vaccines are still safe, available, and recommended by major medical organizations and Michigan health officials.
Public Good News is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to community health. We partner with trusted local voices throughout the U.S. to distribute accurate, accessible, and inclusive health news in English and Spanish.
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