Essential Information
COVID-19 information and advisories are still proving to be a source of conversation and concern two years after the pandemic began. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is continuing to remain a source of reliable health information in an attempt to keep people safe. The best method of safety is to obtain an up-to-date vaccine dose. Remaining up to date includes having a dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine since it became available. Research demonstrates that prior immunity against COVID-19 decreases over time. For those who have recently had COVID-19, it is advised to wait three months from symptom onset and positive onset.
Newly developed strains do not provide strong immunity from past vaccinations or infection. As of Sept. 16, sequenced specimens in Los Angeles account for 99 percent of Omicron XBB descendants. Over 8.3 million people in Los Angeles County have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose since the start of the pandemic. Severe side effects from the vaccine are lower than the side effects from contracting COVID-19 itself. Anyone six months or older should receive at least one dose of the new COVID-19 vaccine. Additional doses may be required for those who are immunocompromised.
Although vaccine myths and mixed feelings exist, there is no evidence of infertility. The mRNA vaccines cannot change DNA, or enter the nucleus of the cell, where the DNA is home. The mRNA is essential in activating an immune response to COVID-19, and the cells then break down the mRNA. Healthcare providers may prove to be a reliable source for questions regarding the vaccine. Check information with multiple credible sources and written by a qualified physician or health professional, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has many links and pages that offer important information about the vaccine.
Public Health is still operating the Public Health Call Center, which is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1 833-540-0473. Staff are available for questions regarding COVID-19, and the vaccine and to help direct people to resources, they can also provide vaccine availability, schedule vaccine appointments, and request a homebound vaccine visit. Data through Sept. 30 has revealed that the CDC Hospital Admission Level is low. The statistics regarding all deaths related to COVID-19 are 3.5%. It is important to keep up to date with the vaccines and prevent the spread of COVID-19 moving forward.
