By Sarah Allen-Sutter
Fall and winter are approaching, which means flu season is nearly upon. The Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is recommending both flu and COVID vaccines to prepare for fall and winter season. Bivalent COVID boosters, which target both the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the predominant BA.4/5 Omicron strains, are now available in Yolo County (Where to Get a Booster in Yolo County). These updated boosters will better protect you from infection with the Omicron variant and will provide an overall immunity boost to prevent severe disease. This immunity boost is important because even if you have had previous COVID boosters or have previously been infected with COVID, your immunity wanes over time, especially for older adults.
The new bivalent COVID booster is recommended for everyone six years of age and older (five-year-olds can receive a Pfizer bivalent booster). To be eligible, you must have received your latest COVID-19 vaccine dose at least two months prior to receiving an updated booster.
In addition to staying updated with your COVID boosters, it is important to protect yourself and others from illness by getting a seasonal flu shot. Everyone six months of age and older is recommended to get an annual flu shot. The upcoming flu season is projected to be severe, but by receiving a flu shot, you will be doing your part in decreasing the prevalence of the flu and protecting yourself and others from severe illness. Although most young, healthy adults will only miss a few days of work from the flu, for older adults and those with chronic health conditions, the flu can be very serious and even life-threatening. Protect your community, and get a flu shot!
You can receive an updated COVID booster and flu shot at the same time, making it convenient to receive both.
“Updated COVID-19 boosters have arrived and offer additional protection against the Omicron variants that are currently circulating,” said Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. “Flu shots are also available now and can be given at the same time as the COVID booster. Protect yourself against COVID and flu during the fall and winter by getting vaccinated now.”
For more information about COVID vaccinations in California, visit CDPH’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program Info. Vaccine clinics can be found at www.myturn.ca.gov. For more information about COVID-19 in Yolo County, visit www.yolocounty.org/covid. For a comprehensive list of where to receive a booster in Yolo County, visit https://www.yolohealthyaging.org/post/eligibility-expanded-for-booster-doses.