COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Uptake Uneven; Disparities Persist in Children, LA County Surpassed 27,000 COVID-19 Deaths

While booster shots are now available to all fully vaccinated adults 18 years and older, uptake has been uneven in L.A. County. 

As of Nov. 17, nearly 1 million additional or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Los Angeles County residents.   

Among the 4.8 million residents eligible for additional or booster doses, booster uptake has been lower in hardest-hit, highest-need ZIP codes (defined using the Healthy Places Index and other criteria), than in other ZIP codes, with 6.9% of residents in high-need ZIP codes receiving boosters as of Nov. 11, 2021, compared with 12.6% in other ZIP codes. Simultaneously, the County has seen great success vaccinating skilled nursing facility residents: as of Nov.16, of 341 skilled nursing facilities, 334 (98%) had completed or scheduled a booster dose vaccination clinic to take place before the end of last week.

Unfortunately, over the weekend, Los Angeles County has surpassed the grim milestone of 27,000 COVID-19 deaths which serves as a reminder of the massive devastation COVID-19 has caused. To date, Public Health has identified 27,017 deaths and 1,520,504 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today, Public Health confirms 9 new deaths and 733 new cases of COVID-19.  The number of cases and deaths reflect reporting delays over the weekend.

Further, Public Health reported Nov. 23, it is tracking disparities in COVID-19 vaccinations. Throughout the pandemic, Latino/Latinx and Black/African American residents and those who live in high poverty areas have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective and recommended for everyone ages 5 years and older to help protect against COVID-19.

Among L.A. County children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, the proportion of White, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native children vaccinated so far is three times the proportion of Black and Latinx children vaccinated: 4% of Black children and 3% of Latinx children aged 5 through 11 had received a first dose of vaccine as of Nov. 14, while on the same date, 13%, 14%, and 12% of their White, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native counterparts had been vaccinated. 

Additionally, in L.A. County’s hardest-hit, highest-need ZIP codes (according to the Healthy Places Index and other criteria) children in these communities have been vaccinated at 1/3 the rate of children in other communities (21,271 [3.9%] of children aged 5-11 in HPI+ ZIP codes have received one dose of vaccine, compared with 43,400 [12.5%] of children aged 5-11 in other ZIP codes).

Residents five years of age and older are now eligible to receive the vaccine free of charge, regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at any of the Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

To find a vaccination site near you, or to make an appointment, visit:

www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) or www.VacunateLosAngeles.com  (Spanish). 

Or call 1-833-540-0473 

Details: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov