Older Californians who obtained final autumn’s up to date COVID-19 vaccination can now get one other shot, state well being officers stated.
Adults 65 and older ought to get a second dose of the up to date shot that first turned accessible in September, so long as not less than 4 months have handed since that injection, the California Division of Public Well being stated Tuesday, echoing a advice issued Feb. 28 by the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
For older adults who received the up to date COVID-19 vaccine, getting one other dose of the 2023-24 model “supplies added safety to residents who’re at elevated danger of extreme sickness and demise from COVID-19,” the L.A. County Division of Public Well being stated in a assertion.
“An extra dose of the up to date COVID-19 vaccine could restore safety that has waned since a fall vaccine dose, offering elevated safety to adults ages 65 years and older,” the CDC stated in a assertion on Feb. 28.
For seniors 65 and up, “You might be updated when you may have obtained 2 up to date 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine doses,” the CDC says on its vaccine steering web page.
Individuals at present sick with COVID-19 ought to wait to be vaccinated till they’ve recovered. Those that have recovered can get their shot as quickly as they’re wholesome, or they will get their vaccination three months later. Causes for why an individual might want an up to date vaccination promptly after recovering from a COVID an infection embody private danger of extreme illness or the danger of illness in a cherished one or shut contact, the CDC says.
“Individuals who already had COVID-19 and don’t get vaccinated after their restoration usually tend to get COVID-19 once more than those that get vaccinated after their restoration,” the CDC stated.
The L.A. County Division of Public Well being stated {that a} preliminary evaluation of nationwide knowledge from October and November confirmed that greater than 95% of all adults hospitalized with COVID had not obtained the newest vaccination.
About 34% of California’s seniors 65 and older have obtained one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since September.
The vaccination fee amongst seniors in Santa Barbara County was 38%; San Diego County, 36%; Ventura County, 35%; Orange County, 32%; Los Angeles County, 29%; and San Bernardino County, 24%.
The best up to date vaccination charges amongst seniors in California have been in Marin County (57%), Sonoma County (53%) and Santa Cruz County (50%).
The 5 most populous counties within the Bay Space — Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo counties — reported up to date senior vaccination charges between 44% and 49%.
Within the Central Valley, Sacramento County — essentially the most populous county within the area — had an up to date senior vaccination fee of 42%, and the second most populous, Fresno County, was at 26%.
Everybody 6 months and older ought to have obtained one up to date COVID-19 vaccination since September, the CDC recommends.
COVID-19 ranges have been declining in Los Angeles County’s wastewater system because the winter peak, which occurred round mid-January. For the week that ended Jan. 13, coronavirus ranges in sewage reached 67% of the prior winter’s most.
For the newest knowledge accessible, the week that ended Feb. 24, coronavirus ranges in L.A. County wastewater have been at 16% of final winter’s peak.
Scientists say COVID vaccinations cut back the danger of lengthy COVID. New analysis from UC San Francisco famous that items of the virus that causes COVID have been discovered within the blood as much as 14 months after an infection and after greater than two years in tissue samples. Scientists there are persevering with analysis into whether or not these fragments are a consider inflicting lengthy COVID to persist.
Kaiser Permanente expects to begin providing the second dose of the 2023-24 COVID vaccine to seniors in mid-March, as soon as its pc techniques are up to date to accommodate the newest advice. The second dose may very well be accessible earlier in some places.
CVS, RiteAid and Walgreens stated in statements that senior prospects can schedule their second dose.
California’s COVID vaccination appointment web site, MyTurn.ca.gov, is accepting requests from seniors wanting a second dose.
The L.A. County Division of Public Well being stated it affords a listing of vaccine suppliers at ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines; those that have further questions can name the county’s public well being name heart at (833) 540-0473 seven days per week between 8 a.m. and eight p.m.
The general public well being name heart line can also organize for vaccinations to be administered at residence for residents who can’t go away, corresponding to aged and disabled folks.
L.A. County additionally affords COVID vaccinations at Ted Watkins Memorial Park in Florence-Firestone and Eugene A. Obregon Park in East L.A. Wednesday by Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
