Pharmacies and clinics across the region began stepping up COVID-19 booster shots for certain groups following last week’s Centers for Disease Control endorsement of the extra Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The endorsement means booster doses are now okay for all three FDA-approved vaccines—Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. A Pfizer third shot was previously approved by the CDC in late September.
People can receive a booster of the vaccine they originally received—or a different vaccine, health officials said.
Following the Oct. 22 CDC announcement, CVS Health said its pharmacies in the area will begin the immediate administration of the Moderna booster. And as booster vaccinations ramp up in both L.A. and Ventura counties, an Oct. 23 clinic was held at the Calabasas Civic Center where more than 130 booster pokes were given, city officials said. The Calabasas Senior Center and Courtyard Pharmacy provided assistance.
“All three vaccines, including their boosters, are proven to be safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID,” Ventura County Health Officer Robert Levin said.
CDC has recommended a booster shot for the following groups who received their last Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago:
•65 years of age and older
•18 years of age and older and who live in a long-term care or other high-risk setting, or have an underlying medical condition.
For people who received the Johnson & Johnson shot, a booster is recommended for everyone 18-and-over who was vaccinated two or months ago.
“It is important that those at high risk because of their age, underlying health conditions, occupational setting get their booster dose,” L.A. County Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Make sure you are getting your boosters well before the holidays,” she said.
Initial vaccinations are widely available for community members 12 and over. More than 200 sites in Ventura County offer COVID vaccines, including a network of medical offices, community clinics, pharmacies, public health clinics and mobile clinics.
Health officials from that county say recent numbers indicate the spread of the virus “is likely decreasing.”
Data show almost 81% of Ventura County’s population 12 and over has received a first dose of the vaccine, and that 74% are fully vaccinated.
The numbers in adjacent L.A. County are similar, with approximately 80% of Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village residents 12-and-over receiving one or more vaccine dose.
It is the seniors who are taking full advantage of the virus inoculation. In L.A. County, more than 93% of people 65 and older have received at least one shot, records show.
“With more residents eligible to receive booster shots, our community is one step closer to enhancing our protection from the virus at this stage in the pandemic,” Levin said.