On March 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated recommendations for a second booster dose of the Moderna (SpikeVax) and Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine in certain individuals. The second booster dose is expected to be available throughout Orange County, including the OC Health Care Agency’s mobile COVID-19 clinics.The dosage for the second booster will be the same as the first booster. The CDC’s updated guidance expands eligibility for a second booster dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine to be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose for the following individuals:People ages 50 years and olderPeople ages 12-49 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromisedPeople ages 18-49 years who received the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine for their primary series and a booster dose”The second booster dose is intended to further reduce the risk of severe disease in certain people, including those who are elderly or immunocompromised,” says Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer. “We want to encourage anyone who is eligible to get their second booster dose and all other approved doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to do so. Vaccination and boosters are proven to be safe and help provide protection against severe infection and hospitalization.”Anyone eligible for any approved dose of a COVID-19 vaccine may go to covidvaccinefacts.com for more information on where to find a COVID-19 vaccine.COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline in Orange County. Data continues to show that the majority of people who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 are unvaccinated. For more information on COVID-19 information and resources, including case counts, vaccination and testing in Orange County, visit ochealthinfo.com/covid.COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation CalculatorThe CDC recently created a COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Calculator to help people determine whether they need to isolate, quarantine, or take other prevention steps to prevent spreading COVID-19. The tool is now available on the OC Health Care Agency’s COVID-19 website at ochealthinfo.com/covid.Please note that this tool is not intended for people with COVID-19 who are moderately or severely ill or those who have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)—they should talk to their doctor about when to end isolation.This tool also does not apply to cases and close contacts identified in certain settings. Parents with children in K-12 schools or early care and education (ECE) programs should consult the program administrator for specific isolation and quarantine guidance in their school or ECE setting. For information about isolation and quarantine in high-risk congregate settings and healthcare settings, refer to the CDC’s guidance on Quarantine and Isolation by clicking here.Update on COVID-19 Therapeutic TreatmentsThe State of California recently issued an alert informing that there is no longer a limited supply of COVID-19 therapeutic treatments in the state. Outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at risk for disease progression are encouraged to talk to a healthcare provider about whether they qualify for treatment and where they may be able to find treatment. Additionally, individuals who are moderate to severely immunocompromised and may have an inadequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination may seek pre-exposure prophylaxis with Evusheld.Through the Federal Government’s Test to Treat initiative, certain local Test to Treat sites may offer COVID-19 testing and free treatment at the same location. For more information about the Test To Treat Initiative, click here.
