The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is recommending that all eligible individuals receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccines. This recommendation comes as recent data highlights the continued significant impact of COVID-19 on people aged 65 and above, as well as Black and Brown residents in the region, as reported by a press release published Yesterday.
The new COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to boost the immune system and reduce severe illness among those infected, which will be particularly beneficial during the fall and winter months when exposure to the virus increases due to indoor activities, holiday gatherings, and travel.
In each of the past three winters, there has been a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. For instance, between November 1 and January 1 last year, hospitalizations tripled and deaths quadrupled. With COVID-19 case rates expected to rise again this winter, it is crucial for the more vulnerable groups to take advantage of the available updated vaccines to minimize their risk.
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health data, over the 90-day period ending September 4, the COVID hospitalization rate for individuals aged 65 and older was 10 times higher than for those under the age of 65. For the same time period, the death rate among people aged 65 and above was 30 times higher compared to their younger counterparts. Furthermore, residents aged 80 and above are at a particularly high risk, with the hospitalization rate for this group being more than double that of those aged 65-79.
When looking at the broader picture in Los Angeles County for the past 90 days, unvaccinated individuals were three times more likely to be hospitalized and four times more likely to perish due to COVID-19 than people who were vaccinated. This underscores the importance of vaccination, especially for those who are at a higher risk for poor outcomes from COVID-19 infection.
To make the updated COVID-19 vaccine widely accessible, over 1,000 unique vaccination sites are expected to provide the vaccine throughout Los Angeles County within the next few weeks. Around 400 of these sites will offer vaccines through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Bridge Access Program for people who are uninsured or underinsured, including at all Public Health vaccination sites, as stated by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
There will be no out-of-pocket costs for those with health insurance plans when getting vaccinated, but some individuals may need to visit a network provider site to avoid any charges. A full list of vaccine sites can be found at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website, which also lists 337 Vaccine for Children Sites in the county, providing free childhood vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
It is advised that residents aged six months and older receive at least one dose of the updated vaccine. For optimal protection, it is recommended to wait two months since their last dose if they have recently been vaccinated against COVID-19, and up to three months after a COVID infection.
For children under five years old or immunocompromised individuals, it is best to consult a healthcare provider to determine the most effective timing and dosing for the updated COVID-19 vaccine, as multiple doses may be recommended.
The Public Health Call Center is available at 1-833-540-0473 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for residents seeking assistance and information about COVID-19, including help with finding a vaccination site or scheduling a free homebound vaccine appointment.
As of September 16, the CDC Hospital Admission Level in Los Angeles County has decreased to 6.7. More than 95 percent of the COVID-19 strains currently circulating in the county are descendants of the Omicron variant, with EG.5 being the dominant strain in the region, representing 31 percent of sequenced specimens in the most recent two-week period ending September 2.
