What do the holidays look like this year? Many are wondering if it’s safe to gather with their families or travel to share meals and memories with loved ones.

Your best bet? Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 resources to make the best decisions for your family. The CDC updates its guidelines frequently, so make it a habit to check in often.

COVID-19, Flu Vaccinations Recommended

The CDC recommends that eligible adults and children should receive COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Both shots can be administered at the same time with no increased risk of side effects.

Many pharmacies can administer both shots during one walk-in or scheduled appointment. If you prefer to have your immunizations at Michigan Medicine, each dose must be scheduled separately. Flu shots are generally available at most doctor’s offices, as well.

COVID-19

Vaccinations for adults and children ages 5 and older are available in several Michigan Medicine locations. These include first and second doses, booster shots and children/adolescent doses. View your options and schedule an appointment. It’s the best way to protect those you want to pull close during the holidays.

Influenza

This state of Michigan website is a solid resource for where to get vaccinated, how to tell whether you have the flu or other respiratory illnesses, and when to seek medical attention for flu-like symptoms.

You can schedule a flu shot at one of several Michigan Medicine locations through the patient portal. If you’re not a patient, call (734) 763-6336 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Holidays and Health Decisions

Whether you gather by Zoom or in front of a fire with Grandma’s sugar cookies, the holidays are a good opportunity to discuss important topics, such as health decisions. A brief family discussion and a bit of planning can save time, energy and heartache in the future.

Get Advanced Directives Online

Have you talked about who should make medical decisions for you or your family members if they can't? Is there documentation, and do all the right people have a copy of it?

Michigan Medicine provides a free, simple toolkit online to help you or a loved one set up what’s known as an “advance directive” about health care. You don't need to be a Michigan Medicine patient to use these materials. One advantage of using the toolkit is that it meets the requirements to be a legal document in the state of Michigan.

To get started, download the booklet or visit the Michigan Medicine advance directives page. 

Check Your Beneficiaries

Keeping beneficiary designations current is one of the easiest and most important ways to protect your loved ones financially. If you or a family member have experienced a major life event – like marriage, divorce, birth of a child or death of a loved one – check to make sure your beneficiaries are still up-to-date.

Keep in mind that for U-M benefits, you need to designate beneficiaries separately through TIAA, Fidelity Investments and MetLife.