LA County encourages all adults to get booster shots

The Los Angeles County Supreme Health Authority recommends that all fully vaccinated adults take COVID-19 booster shots.

Barbara Ferrer, director of public health in LA County, has added her support to California’s ever-growing supporters of health authorities. Virtually all adults You are already qualified as a booster under the guidelines issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Feller said that as long as at least 6 months have passed since the second vaccination of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccination series, or at least 2 months have passed since the Johnson & Johnson vaccination. He said it is recommended that vaccinated adults receive booster vaccinations.

“The only exception is someone who lives in a bubble. You are in your home, telework, never leave, live with no one, and there is not much risk. Many It creates risk, but no one in the world knows, “Feller said in a briefing on Friday.

Some young adults have returned to work or “I’m definitely enjoying everything LA County has to offer, so I want them to keep going,” Feller said. But she warned. And unfortunately, if they get infected, they can infect others who can end up with a really very serious illness.

“Yes, yes, at your time, you are over 18 years old and live in that bubble, as it is 6 months after the second dose of Pfizer or Modena and 2 months after the dose of Johnson & Johnson. Not — get in and get a booster, “Feller said.

Who sees the eligibility criteria on the state scheduling website, myturn.ca.gov, You may think they are not qualified as boosters.

However, Feller and other health officials have pointed out that one of the criteria that “the risk of getting COVID-19 due to occupational or institutional settings is high” applies to virtually all adults.

According to Feller, the criteria apply to:

• Go to work and be around other people.
• Living with people who are not vaccinated, such as infants, or who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill if infected, such as the elderly, overweight, or pregnant, is a current or previous smoker. Is it or has high blood pressure. Blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, depression, or alcohol or substance abuse;
• Being in a community that has been hit hard by COVID-19 or has many cases of coronavirus — “currently throughout LA County,” Feller said.

She said she thinks this interpretation is in line with the guidance outlined by the CDC.

In addition, Feller points out that booster shots are well-supplied, and authorities say that people vaccinated more than six months ago may begin to experience a weakened immune system to COVID-19. I am concerned that there is.

Increasing booster shot uptake, getting unvaccinated people to start regimens, and wearing masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor areas, according to Feller, will stop the winter surge in COVID-19. Is an important strategy for.

“Certainly, in countries and parts of the world, colder weather has already led to significant increases in case numbers and unfortunately increased hospitalizations. It is foolish to not pay attention to the warnings inherent in these increases. That’s right, “Feller said. “With our adequate vaccination, we can offer the first series to everyone over the age of 5 and boosters for those with weakened protection, the tragedy we experienced last winter. You will be in a better position to prevent a broken heart. ”

so letter Dr. Thomas Aragon, California Health Officer and Director of Public Health, told local health agencies and vaccine clinics this week that adults are at increased risk of exposure just because they live in areas heavily affected by COVID. I can judge. ” ”

Aragon has instructed vaccination providers to “keep patients requesting boosters” as long as sufficient time has passed since the first vaccination.

Health officials in Northern California’s most populous Santa Clara County provided the same interpretation at a recent press conference, and the demand for boosters has increased since then.

“Almost everyone is qualified,” said Dr. Sarah Cody, county health officer and director of public health. “We really recommend everyone going out and taking booster shots.”

The California message shows a change from just a few weeks ago when authorities focused on encouraging older people and people with weakened immunity to get boosters. This is a group of people vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna who need to get a booster, 65 years or older, 50 years or older with a particular underlying disorder, and a long-term care environment. It is based in part on the CDC’s official recommendation to include adults living in. The CDC also recommended that all adult J & J recipients get a booster.

The CDC made the booster available to other designated groups, but could not officially recommend it. These groups include young adults with an underlying disorder and adults aged 18-64 years who live or work in a high-risk environment. As the CDC guidance points out, the risk “depends on the configuration and can be affected by how widespread COVID-19 is in the community.”

California basically relies on the interpretation of the CDC guidelines to open the door, but as part of that, federal authorities are assessing whether to officially expand eligibility.

Recently Pfizer and BioNTech Asked The US Food and Drug Administration allows people over the age of 18 to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.Results from New research The booster dose was found to result in a relative vaccine efficacy of 95% when compared to those who did not receive the booster dose.

Demand for booster shots in Los Angeles County has increased significantly in recent weeks, Feller said. However, the initial dose remains relatively low.

In the first week of November, LA County gave 182,000 boosters or boosts to people with weakened immunity, with a first dose of just over 43,000 vaccines and a second dose of 42,000. rice field.

At this pace, LA County will not be able to meet its goal of fully immunizing at least 80% of residents over the age of 12 until next year.Achieving that goal is one of the county’s criteria Unleash the mask’s mission For indoor public areas.

About 73% of Angelenos in that age range completed the first inoculation series. The county data is displayed..

Feller admitted that the progress in giving their shots to unvaccinated people is “much slower than we would like.”

“The most important thing the community can do to reduce the risk of the next winter surge is to reduce the number of unvaccinated people,” she said, which vaccinated newly qualified children. It also includes inoculation.