Eastern Michigan University scheduled its second flu vaccine clinic of the year for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
The clinic is open to all university students and employees. Those with insurance need to bring their insurance cards. Students without insurance can receive the vaccine at no charge, as the costs will be covered by Student Government.
The clinic comes during a tumultuous flu season for the United States, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 18 million cases so far this season. That rate prompted public officials to classify the threat as moderately severe.
The CDC also reported 230,000 hospitalizations and 9,300 deaths from the flu so far this season.
Washtenaw County Health Department Communications Coordinator Beth-Ann Hamilton said Michigan is experiencing a tough flu season as well, with both influenza A and influenza B more prevalent this year than in the previous season.
“It’s looking like we’re on track for another pretty tough flu season. We definitely have seen a big spike in our local hospitalizations,” Hamilton said in a Jan. 15 interview on WEMU 89.1.
Wastewater monitoring in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti indicated especially high levels of influenza B, and flu-related hospitalizations have surged. Since the season started Aug. 31, 2025, Washtenaw County has recorded 180 flu hospitalizations, with nearly 50 occurring in a single week, the highest so far this season. Data published on the county health department website show the cases peaking the week ending Jan. 3, 2026.
“Right now, we have a lot of influenza B being detected in our wastewater in Ann Arbor and Ypsi, and a decent bit of influenza A as well," Hamilton said.
Hamilton stressed the importance of the flu vaccine, noting that while it won’t totally protect patients from the virus due to recent mutations, it does a sufficient job.
“Even though it’s not a perfect match for this current strain, it still provides protection against severe illness," Hamilton said. "It’s one of our best tools for preventing serious illness and the kind of sick that puts you in the hospital.”
The public should also note that vaccinated individuals might still contract the virus, something the department is well aware of, especially at a time when hospitalizations are up in Washtenaw County.
“The thing about flu vaccines is they’re really to keep people out of the hospital and to keep people alive," Hamilton said.
Eastern Michigan’s flu clinic will take place in the Student Center Ballroom 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. No appointments are needed.
