The City of West Hollywood Reminds Community to Update their Vax

The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is encouraging the community to stay up to date on vaccinations and limit the spread of COVID-19, influenza (flu), and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) during the autumn and winter seasons.

To minimize community transmission and illness during the autumn and winter seasons, community members should take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, flu, and RSV other respiratory viruses. Importantly, being up to date on vaccines is important. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available at retail pharmacies, health care provider offices, and Public Health locations across Los Angeles County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness.

Immunity to COVID-19 infections wanes over time and getting the new vaccine provides maximum protection against severe illness, hospitalization, long COVID, and death from the virus. The updated vaccine is safe. It provides effective protection against severe illness from COVID-19 variants that are circulating now. Older adults, pregnant people, and people with underlying or chronic health conditions are more susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19 and should prioritize vaccination. There should be no out-of-pocket costs for the updated COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccination site or to make an appointment, please visit www.VaccinateLACounty.com. For more vaccine information, visit PublicHealth.lacounty.gov/Vaccines. Community members who are homebound or have difficulty leaving home safely can request a free home visit for vaccinations. Request an appointment at PublicHealth.lacounty.gov/VaxatHome.

Public Health officials recommend using masks in crowded indoor spaces, staying home when sick, and testing for COVID-19 before gatherings. For more information on types of tests, where to get them, and how to interpret them, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidtests. The federal government has reopened its free COVID-19 test program; each household can get four free tests shipped to their home. Tests can be ordered at www.covid.gov/tests.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, there are therapeutic prescription antivirals that can be taken at home. Contact your health provider if you have a fever, coughing and sneezing, unusual fatigue, muscle aches, or other symptoms.

For more information about updated COVID-19 vaccines – or vaccines for flu and RSV – talk with your health care provider or pharmacist, or call the LA County Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Call Center can also assist community members who are homebound to make an appointment, and people who do not have a health care provider in connecting to information and services.