The bivalent COVID-19 vaccine is still highly effective, but not enough Angelenos have received one.
Children remain the least vaccinated age group in Los Angeles County, with less than 15% of eligible children 5-17 receiving the shot. The most vaccinated age group is also the most vulnerable — just 45% of people 65 and older have received the shot.
“This week we had 700 mobile teams and the priority is to make sure those mobile teams are in places where older people have easy access,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer at a press conference Thursday. “We will go to anybody’s home to vaccinate them. It’s a 100% free. You just have to call us and we’ll schedule a time.”
Courtesy of the L.A. County Department of Public Health)
In total, Ferrer said 1.7 million people in L.A. County have gotten the free shot. Local data show clear differences between the hospitalization and death rates of people with COVID who had received the bivalent shot and those who hadn’t.
“Hospitalization rates for the 90 day period that ended April 3, were nearly five times higher for people 65 and older who were unvaccinated, compared to people who were vaccinated without the bivalent booster,” Ferrer said.
Overall, cases continue to gradually decline. Ferrer said the county is averaging 303 cases per day, compared to 355 the week prior. Both are an undercount, because at-home testing is…
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