Los Angeles County health officials and other providers began offering second booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 50 older on March 30.
This action comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older and immunocompromised individuals on Tuesday.
Additionally, the second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is authorized by the FDA for individuals over 11 and the Moderna vaccine for individuals over 17 with moderate and severe immunosuppression. The second booster is recommended for eligible individuals at least four months after receiving the first booster dose.
“Current evidence suggests some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals. Based on an analysis of emerging data, a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could help increase protection levels for these higher-risk individuals,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
- Obregon Park (East Los Angeles)
- Ted Watkins Park (South Los Angeles)
- Balboa Sports Complex (Encino)
- Commerce Senior Citizens Center (Commerce)
- Market Street Center (Santa Clarita)
- Palmdale Oasis Recreation Center (Palmdale)
- Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex (Norwalk)
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, a group made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization, unanimously supported the decision of expanding eligibility for second booster doses for older and immunocompromised individuals.
In addition, the decision gained support from California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Mark Ghaly and Director of the California Department of Public Health Dr. Tomás J. Aragón.
As of March 29, 71 percent of Los Angeles County residents are fully vaccinated. Among the vaccinated residents who are over 65 years of age, 90 percent of them are fully vaccinated, and 64 percent have received a booster shot, according to the department.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County reported 321 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. The county also reported 541 new COVID-19 cases and 7 additional deaths.
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