Updated COVID-19 vaccines are expected to roll out as early as this week in California. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week approved updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna formulated to better protect against newer circulating variants of the virus.
The update comes amid a season of rising COVID cases in L.A. County. The current 7-day average of COVID-positive hospitalizations for the week that ended Aug. 17 jumped to 478 compared to 112 the week of May 19, according to data by the County Department of Public Health.
Cases throughout the U.S. are also monitored in part through weekly wastewater levels through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). In July, California recorded much higher levels of COVID-19 in wastewater (11.53) compared to the same month last year (2.88).
Here’s what to know about the new vaccines.
Who is eligible?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older receive one dose of the new COVID vaccine.
Vaccine recommendations are largely based on age, which vaccine you have previously received and the amount of time since your last dose.
Health officials stress the importance of getting an updated shot if you are 65 and older or are considered at high risk for infection.
A full list of recommendations for when to get your shot is available here.
I had COVID recently, when should I get the updated vaccine?
If you’ve had COVID this summer, you’ll have strong infection-based immunity and can consider delaying your vaccine dose by three months, according to the CDC. Even so, you still need to keep up to date with vaccines to better prevent catching COVID again and/or lessen its impact.
Those who actively have COVID should wait to get vaccinated until after testing negative to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and others to the virus.
When will the shots be available?
The updated shots are expected to be available throughout California as early as this week.
CVS is already offering appointments for the new vaccine, and Walgreens has appointments available starting in early September. Kaiser Permanente will begin administering the shots by mid-September and possibly earlier.
A comprehensive list of vaccine sites throughout L.A. County is available here.
Can I get it for free?
COVID shots were once distributed by the federal government for free but are now commercially sold. Most private insurance carriers as well as the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs should cover most or all of the costs to get vaccinated.
A CDC program that provided booster shots to uninsured and underinsured people is ending Aug. 31, so you might still be able to get a free shot if you book an appointment this week.
Children 18 and under could be eligible to receive free shots through Vaccines for Children (VFC), a federally funded program.
Where can I find more resources?
- Get a digital copy of your digital Vaccine Record (DVR): myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov
- COVID-19 vaccine information and resources: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm
- Order free COVID-19 tests:
- aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx
