New Vaccine Guidance: Second Bivalent Boosters Available to Seniors
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is asking everyone to check and make sure they have the most up-to-date protection available.
To put it simply, everyone ages 6 months and older should get at least one bivalent booster.
The CDC also made the following changes:
- Adults 65 and older can get a second bivalent booster four months after their first one.
- Immunocompromised people ages 6 and older can get a second bivalent booster two months after their first one.
- The bivalent vaccines are replacing the monovalent vaccines. The monovalent vaccines were formulated for the original strain of COVID-19, while the bivalent formula protects against that and newer Omicron strains.
The bivalent vaccines were approved in September 2022, so anyone vaccinated before that date has not had a bivalent booster.
Why Older Adults Especially Need Bivalent Boosters
Older adults remain among the most vulnerable to hospitalization and death due to COVID-19, making the protection offered by boosters especially important.
Studies and clinical data provide mounting evidence on the effectiveness of the bivalent vaccine at reducing the risk of symptomatic infection and severe illness, especially among people 65 and older.
Recent local data shows people 65 and older who were vaccinated, but didn?t have the bivalent booster, were twice as likely to be hospitalized and twice as likely to die from a COVID-19 infection than those who did get the bivalent booster.
Vaccines Remain Free and Easily Accessible
Public Health is offering bivalent vaccines and boosters to eligible residents at no cost, whether or not you have insurance, at hundreds of locations throughout Los Angeles County. Vaccination locations and appointments can be found at VaccinateLACounty.com or VacunateLosAngeles.com (en espa?ol) or by calling 1-833-540-0473.
For residents who have difficulties leaving their home, Public Health offers free in-home COVID-19 vaccine and booster appointments. Appointments may be booked at ph.lacounty.gov/vaxathome or by calling the Public Health COVID-19 Call Center at 1-833-540-0473.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has developed a wide array of documents, guidance documents, and resources for the workers, businesses, partners, and the general public on a variety of topics related to COVID-19, including:
For the Public:
For Businesses:
It is recommended you follow @lapublichealth on?Facebook,?Twitter?or?Instagram?the latest updates about Los Angeles County.
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:
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