KRCR: Biden ends COVID National Emergency; What this means for Shasta County

Biden ends COVID National Emergency; What this means for Shasta County

by Anna MontemorWed, April 12th 2023, 1:14 PM PDT

At this time, after people receive the one-time bivalent booster, they are fully immunized and boosted. The bivalent booster is also called the “updated booster” because it fights against the original virus and newer variants.

REDDING. Calif. — Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency says they have been receiving calls from locals with confusion about what's next with the COVID-19 boosters.

Masks, vaccines, boosters, and many people are wondering what the expectations are now that the COVID National Emergency has officially lifted.

As of yesterday, President Biden ended the National Emergency for COVID a month earlier than it was initially intended. Things have been back to normal in recent months but many people are still curious as to what boosters are still necessary and who among society is still the most susceptible.

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Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency said that at this time after people receive the one-time bivalent booster, they are fully immunized and boosted. The Bivalent booster is also called the “updated booster” because it fights against the original virus and newer variants as well.

Supervising Public Health Nurse at Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency, Sharayne Loomis, told KRCR why COVID is still relevant now. “COVID is still causing severe illness, hospitalizations and death and Shasta County has a high older adult population so they are still very vulnerable to being affected by this illness. Vaccines are an important tool to help prevent unnecessary illness hospitalizations and deaths.”

Whether a person is considered high-risk, immune-compromised, or generally healthy, they do not need more than one “updated” bivalent booster according to the Shasta Health and Human Services Agency.

Before making an appointment, Shasta Health and Human Services Agency said to check whether you or your child needs a bivalent booster at this CDC website: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters. The page includes a tool, “Find Out When You Can Get Your Booster.” Or, review your physical CDC vaccination card or digital vaccine record.

The state also offers these Vaccine Timing charts to help with the spacing of COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses, for both routine and immune-compromised recipients, ages 6 months through adult.