Los Angeles County announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8, that it will once again offer free coronavirus vaccinations to residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
The free booster is designed to target the strains currently prevalent and causing most infections. Boosters are recommended for children over 6 months of age.
It is available at many county clinics and vaccination sites. Los Angeles County residents can find locations by visiting ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines. Uninsured or underinsured adults can get free vaccines at many health care providers and health centers through the state’s COVID-19 Bridge Access Program.
Both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available free of charge through Los Angeles County Department of Public Health clinics and multi-service vaccination sites. And for those who can’t get to a clinic, the county has set up mobile teams to help the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled and homeless, receive the new vaccine.
Children enrolled in Medi-CAL, uninsured or underinsured, or American Indian or Alaska Native can receive the newly updated COVID-19 vaccine for free through the Children’s Vaccines Program. can. A list of these providers can also be found at bit.ly/VaccineForChildrenSites.
Public Health is reminding residents to “stay up to date” about vaccines as we head into the fall and winter. why? Los Angeles County has seen a significant increase in the number of new coronavirus infections over the past three years from fall to winter, the department reported.
A huge summer surge in coronavirus cases sent far more people to emergency rooms in California and across the country than at any time since last holiday season, according to state and federal data. Ta. As of early September, only 15.3% of Californians had kept their coronavirus boosters up to date. That means they were vaccinated last fall. The situation is even worse in Orange and Los Angeles counties (both 14.3%), even worse in Riverside County (9.1%), and even worse in San Bernardino County (7.9%).
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that “the COVID-19 vaccine provides residents with a safe, effective and easy way to protect themselves from serious illness caused by the virus.”
DPH reported that there is statistical data showing that vaccines can reduce the risk of post-COVID-19 situations. Also, in the 90 days ending September 10, 2024, unvaccinated residents were four times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated residents.
Over 65 years old
County residents 65 and older have much higher rates of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 compared to residents under 65. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, hospitalization and death rates for residents 65 and older have increased significantly. DPH reports that the hospitalization rate for residents under 65 is six times higher than the hospitalization rate for seniors under 65.
Of the 36,020 cumulative deaths among residents due to COVID-19 since March 2020, 73% were residents aged 65 or older. The cumulative death rate for residents 65 and older is 18 times higher than the cumulative death rate for residents under 65, the county DPH reported.
Target age: 5 years old and above
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends one dose of the latest Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for everyone age 5 and older.
Children under the age of 5 who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will need either two doses from Moderna or three doses of the newly updated vaccine from Pfizer.
Insured residents can obtain the latest COVID-19 and influenza vaccines through their health care provider or many participating retail pharmacies.
Are you pregnant?
Pregnant people who are infected with the new coronavirus are at higher risk of severe illness, premature birth, and stillbirth, the county DPH reported.
Pregnant women can protect their newborns and infants by getting vaccinated against the virus. Pregnant women can pass on antibodies to their babies before birth, protecting them from severe illness from COVID-19 in the first few months of life.
If you have questions, need assistance with an appointment, or need a vaccination at home, please contact the Public Health Information Line. Opening hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The phone number is 1-833-540-0473.
For more information, visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines.
SCNG staff writer Teri Sforza contributed to this article.
First published: October 8, 2024 at 4:49 p.m.
