Public health agencies across the Bay Area urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated and, if eligible, get a booster shot right away to protect against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
- 6 months have passed since your second dose of Moderna (for 18+)
- 6 months have passed since your second dose of Pfizer (for 16+)
- 2 months have passed since your Johnson & Johnson Dose (for 18+)
To find a booster shot appointment or drop-in booster location in Contra Costa County, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated. Appointments at Contra Costa Health Services’ (CCHS) no-cost vaccination clinics are available online or by calling 1-833-829-2626.
Currently, just 31.9% of eligible Contra Costa residents have received a booster, and approximately 246,000 residents who are 50 years and over have yet to get their booster shot.
While there have been no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant reported to CCHS, evidence of this variant has been detected in a county wastewater sample.
Many more cases of Omicron are expected to be reported in the coming days and weeks, and, based on the exponential growth in cases being seen in Europe, there is a significant risk of exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in our region. The United Kingdom currently has more COVID-19 cases than at any time during the 2-year pandemic. Other highly vaccinated countries that mirror the Bay Area’s high vaccination rates, such as Denmark and Norway, are predicting Omicron will become the dominant variant in a matter of days.
Evidence suggests that Omicron spreads more rapidly than other variants, and more is being learned every day. Although some evidence suggests that a lower percentage of people infected with Omicron may be hospitalized and die, if a surge causes many thousands of new cases per day, even a small percentage of that total entering our hospitals will overwhelm healthcare delivery systems.
“Now more than ever, receiving a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are eligible is an urgent, healthy choice to protect yourself and your family,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County. “Even if you were fully vaccinated earlier this year, two shots are no longer enough. We know protection against infection from the vaccines declines over time, so booster doses are critical for everyone who was vaccinated at least 6 months ago.”
In addition to vaccinations and boosters, masking, testing, ventilation, and distancing remain an effective multi-layered defense against COVID-19. As the holiday season is upon us, people should stay mindful of risks and take steps to decrease them.
If people must travel or gather for the holidays:
- Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate themselves and get tested as soon as possible.
- Get tested before gathering or traveling, upon return, and again 3-5 days later.
- Have everyone ages 5+ get their COVID-19 vaccine and booster if eligible.
- Take advantage of quick and easy home test kits available in pharmacies and stores.
- Wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings.
- Keep group gatherings small. Gather with close family units.
- Outside gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
- Be particularly cautious around elderly or immunocompromised individuals and consider COVID-19 testing before such interactions.
Vaccinations are available at no cost to the public, insurance is not required, and there are no immigration requirements. Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus to learn more.
Round 3: Who gets the mezcal worm at the bottom of the vial?
No more needles thank you.
I got a booster shot for my 14 year old.
Normally that would not be a controversial statement, you know, protecting someone you care about from a dreaded disease. But we are far, far, far from normal which is a town in Illinois as it turns out.