COVID Vaccine Boosters Recommended
As the community prepares for Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos activities this weekend, Alameda County health officials are recommending some groups get their COVID vaccine booster soon to avoid a health scare.
Those 65 or older are eligible for this booster shot, according to the Public Health Department, so are people 18 and older with an underlying medical condition or who work or live in a high-risk setting. It is not yet known if or when the COVID-19 vaccine booster will be recommended for other groups.
“COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be highly safe and effective, and booster doses will help ensure we get the greatest possible benefit,” said Alameda County Health Officer, Dr. Nicholas Moss.
The announcement sent out last Friday also noted that the “mixing and matching” of boosters are also now permitted by health officials. That means if you got the Pfizer vaccine more than 6 months ago, you could get a vaccine boost from Moderna. Anyone who received Johnson & Johnson dose at least two months ago can also receive a booster.
Alameda County continues to focus COVID-19 vaccination efforts on residents who are unvaccinated, as 16% of eligible residents are unvaccinated or haven’t received their second dose of a two-dose series.
“We want to remind and thank our residents for helping to reduce and prevent the risk of COVID-19 as we gather for holidays and observances,” said County Supervisor Nate Miley in an email.
The combination of newly vaccinated residents and rules for face masks could mean indoor requirements could be lifted. Alameda County Public Health data shows the number of new COVID infections has dropped to 14-day averages not seen since before the summer (currently averaging 1,154 cases). The number of hospital admissions for COVID-19-related infections also decreased significantly over the same period with 81 currently hospitalized, 32 of those in an intensive care unit (ICU).
But to remove local indoor mask requirements, Alameda County must for three weeks only see between 20 to 49 new per 100,000 persons within the last 14 days. According to public health data, Alameda County could meet the criteria mid to late December, assuming FDA Emergency Use Authorization of COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-to-11 years old and more residents getting fully vaccinated after December 10.
With flu season coming, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Alameda County also recommend the flu vaccine for everyone over 6 months of age. People may receive the flu vaccine and COVID vaccine at the same visit.
Any eligible person seeking a booster shot should consult with their medical provider or access the booster through a chain pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom announced this week measures to help small businesses weather the fallout from COVID-related losses. The governor’s proposal includes $4 billion in the form of relief grants and $6.2 billion set aside for tax relief. Newsom also announced that business license renewal fees were waived for companies heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Vaccine Distributed:
State – 51,906,771
Alameda County – 2,453,632
Castro Valley – 51,299
San Leandro – 71,120
Confirmed Cases:
State - 4,606,599
Alameda County – 118,289
Castro Valley – 3,681
San Leandro – 7,318
Deaths:
State – 70,884
Alameda County – 1,415
as of October 25, 2021