With Respiratory Virus Season Approaching, Public Health Recommends Getting Updated COVID-19,
Flu Vaccines Now
Free Vaccines Available at 10 Public Health Sites Starting Today
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) reminds residents that it is important to start planning for the upcoming Respiratory Virus Season, also called Flu Season or Cold and Flu Season, to help reduce the risk of severe illness this winter and minimize disruptions to daily activities.
Getting up to date on vaccines now can help prepare for the upcoming months when transmission of COVID-19, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) typically increases. Flu and updated COVID vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older and can be administered together. More than 1,000 sites across Los Angeles County will have seasonal vaccines available including, as of today, eight Public Health clinics.
The updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are available, starting today, at all eight Public Health Centers in Los Angeles County. Two Public Health vaccine sites, known as PODS, at Ted Watkins Memorial Park and Obregon Park began administering the updated COVID-19 vaccine last week. Public Health Mobile Vaccine Teams also are set up throughout the county to offer free vaccines; their locations are listed at myturn.ca.gov. There should be no out-of-pocket cost for the vaccines, and everyone is eligible regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an updated Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, which will soon be available for anyone who prefers a non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine option.
Public Health recommends that residents, especially those in higher risk groups, such as adults over 65 years old, people who are immunocompromised and people with underlying health conditions, plan to receive their updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as possible for maximum protection before the start of Respiratory Virus Season.
Last winter, the 7-day average for reported COVID-19 cases peaked the week ending Dec. 2, along with SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations. More time indoors and holiday travel can contribute to increased winter cases.
The updated COVID-19 vaccine, which was formulated to target COVID-19 strains circulating now, has been shown in studies to increase protections against COVID and reduce severe illness for those infected. Young children and people who are immunocompromised may need more than one vaccine for maximum vaccine effectiveness and should speak to a provider for recommended dosing and schedule.
COVID-19 strains currently circulating in Los Angeles County are all descendants of the Omicron variant and more than 95 percent are descendants of the Omicron XBB strain, which the vaccine is designed to protect against. For the two-week period ending Sept. 2, EG.5 was the dominant strain, accounting for 30 percent of sequenced specimens. The next most dominant strains were XBB.2.3, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.5 each accounting for about 8 percent of sequenced specimens.
Likewise, there is evidence that this year’s flu vaccine will be a strong match for circulating strains. Flu transmission and vaccine effectiveness in the Southern Hemisphere from April through September can foreshadow respiratory illness patterns that could be seen in the Northern Hemisphere this fall. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the 2023 seasonal flu vaccine reduced the risk for influenza-associated hospitalizations in the Southern Hemisphere by 52 percent and that the vaccine could provide similar protections in the Northern Hemisphere. Many sites in Los Angeles County have both the flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines available.
Because any case of influenza can be severe, especially when it spreads to people who are high risk, including older adults and young children, it remains prudent to get the flu vaccine now, before transmission increases significantly. Flu transmission is measured by the percentage of respiratory samples at local labs and for the most recent week, 0.8 % of samples tested positive.
Those who are 60 and older, have infants or are pregnant should speak with their providers about options for RSV vaccines or medicines.
Taking steps to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, flu and RSV during this Respiratory Virus Season not only protects each other, but also helps to keep the health care system from becoming overwhelmed. Besides vaccination, people should stay home when sick and practice good hand hygiene. This may also be a good time to stock up on COVID tests and high-quality well-fitting masks for extra protection when in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
As of Sept. 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home by visiting covid.gov/tests. Free at-home test kits also are available for pick up at Public Health vaccine sites, all Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles libraries, many food banks, senior centers and other local organization. Detailed information is available at ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests.
For people who have questions, need help finding a test site or scheduling a vaccine appointment, including requests for at-home vaccination for people who are homebound, can call the Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473. This free service is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In Los Angeles County, based on data through Sept. 23, the CDC Hospital Admission Level is 6.1, lower than the week before.
Public Health reports COVID-19 data weekly. The following table shows case, wastewater, emergency department, hospitalization and death data in Los Angeles County over the past four weeks.
