LANSING, MI - Governor Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference on Tuesday, August 25th.

She started off the press conference by announcing a 1.2 million dollar donation from IKEA to Michigan’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative. This is the largest donation the fund has seen and will help to support COVID-19 relief efforts in Michigan.

“Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses have done their part to slow the spread of the virus, but the fight is not over yet. I am grateful that IKEA has stepped up during this difficult time to ensure we have the funding we need to provide critical services to Michiganders impacted by COVID-19,” said Governor Whitmer in a press release. “This donation will be crucial to saving lives and providing much-needed support throughout our COVID-19 response.”

The main topic from today’s press conference was about the importance of getting flu vaccines this season. To lessen the chance of healthcare workers and hospitals becoming overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients and flu patients, Governor Whitmer urged Michigan residents to get their flu vaccines, “Preventing the flu will help save and preserve health care resources needed to fight COVID-19.”

She also announced that the Michigan Department of Health and Human services (MDHHS) was launching a statewide media campaign, Facing the Flu Together, as a way to encourage Michiganders to get their flu vaccine. This campaign will include multiple media sources and ads that will reach Michigan residents starting August 31st.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan Primary Care Association, and the Franny Strong Foundation joined Governor Whitmer today at her press conference and called upon residents to go out and get their vaccines. In addition, Michigan’s I Vaccinate campaign is also working to educate residents about vaccinations.

The flu vaccine is already available in some parts of Michigan and Governor Whitmer assured the public that there would be a sufficient supply across the state this fall. To find out more about the flu shot, you can visit IVacinate.org. More information about the flu can also be found at Michigan.gov/Flu.