Los Angeles County residents 65 and older now have access to an additional dose of the updated (2023-2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine that provides added protection to residents who are at increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Residents can get the updated vaccine four months after their previous dose of the updated vaccine.  All residents, 6 months and older, who have not yet received the updated (2023-2024 formula) vaccine, are also urged to take advantage of this important protection from serious COVID-19 illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection endorse the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that people ages 65 years and older should receive 1 additional dose of any updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Moderna, Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech) at least 4 months after their previous dose of updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine. The available COVID-19 vaccine is designed to target COVID strains circulating now, and research shows that it is effective at reducing the chance of severe illness and long COVID.

Recent national data shows that 67% of COVID-19 hospitalizations from March 2023 to January 2024 occurred among adults 65 years and older. Nearly half of all COVID-19 hospitalizations during this time period were among adults older than 75 years.  Additionally, in preliminary analysis using data from October 2023-November 2023, more than 95% of all adults hospitalized with COVID had not received the updated 2023-2024 vaccine.  This data highlights the importance of urging every adult to stay up to date with their COVID vaccines.  For older adults already up to date on their vaccines, this now includes getting an additional updated vaccine dose this spring.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older, regardless of prior vaccination or infection status. If you have not received an updated (2023-2024) dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is not too late.

The updated COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in Los Angeles County and any resident who is seeking vaccination will be able to do so regardless of insurance or immigration status.

For persons with insurance these vaccines can be received through their healthcare provider or through many participating retail pharmacies.

Free vaccines are available to uninsured and underinsured adults at many participating retail pharmacies, health care providers and health centers through a federal program called the CDC Bridge Access Program. A list of providers in this program can be found at: bit.ly/LACountyBAPProviders. Public Health is distributing free vaccine through public health clinics and mobile teams. The department prioritizes vaccine access for the county’s most vulnerable populations, including elderly and disabled people. Residents who are homebound can call 1-833-540-0473 to schedule an appointment to receive their vaccine at their home.

Children who are uninsured or have Medi-CAL can receive the newly updated COVID vaccine for free through the Vaccine for Children program. A vaccine locator for these providers can be found at bit.ly/VaccineForChildrenSites.

To find vaccine locations, visit ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines. Anyone who has questions, needs assistance with appointments, or are homebound and need to be vaccinated should contact the Public Health InfoLine, which is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The number is 1-833-540-0473.