Bivalent COVID-19 Booster and Flu Vaccines Can Reduce Severe Illness And Protect the Healthcare System

With three serious respiratory illnesses already circulating in LA County, the healthcare system is likely to see an increased demand for medical care for those with severe illness.  Already, ahead of a possible winter COVID-19 surge, flu cases in LA County are more than double what has been reported in October for the past five years; 11.3% of specimens from clinical laboratories in the county tested positive for influenza in mid-October, with the number of cases rapidly rising.

The higher number of flu cases has already impacted the healthcare system with 23% of newborn-to-4-year-olds seen at emergency departments in October experiencing influenza-like illness. The data also shows that about 17% of 5-11-year-olds at emergency departments had influenza-like illness. 

There has also been an increase this October in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which can cause serious illness in both the very young and the elderly. Currently, 12% of lab specimens are testing positive for RSV which is higher than the peak observed during 2019-20, and on par with the peak of the 2021-2022 season.  And seven percent of emergency department visits among children newborn-4 are related to RSV, an unusually high number for October. 

There are some simple actions to take to prevent respiratory illness: getting the annual seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 fall booster, washing hands frequently, staying home if you have symptoms of respiratory illness and wearing a well-fitting, high filtration mask when indoors.  

It’s important to test for COVID-19 and if there are persistent or significant symptoms, to immediately check with a healthcare provider. They can provide additional tests and appropriate treatment for Flu, RSV, and COVID-19.

The flu and the updated COVID-19 Fall boosters are readily available at Public Health sites, pharmacies, and other locations across the county; to find a site near you call 2 – 1 – 1 (LA County Info Line) or enter your zip code at VaccineFinder.org

Seniors and residents who can’t easily leave their home can contact Public Health telehealth services at 833-540-0473, seven days a week, from 8 am to 8:30 p.m. to arrange for an at-home COVID-19 fall booster and primary series vaccinations or transportation to a vaccination center. Insurance is not required, and callers can be assisted in multiple languages. 

The 7-day average COVID-19 case count in the county is 988, a 13% increase from one week ago when the 7-day average of 874 cases was reported.

Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-19-positive patients in LA County hospitals declined slightly to 389 from one week ago when the average number of daily COVID-19-positive patients per day was 404.

Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, remain stable at about 10 deaths reported each day this past week.