Bivalent vaccines available to O.C. residents 12 and older

The Orange County Health Care Agency began distributing doses of the bivalent vaccine this week to target the dominant Omicron strains — BA.4 and BA.5 — in addition to the original coronavirus strain that began the pandemic in early 2020.

The BA.5 Omicron subvariant is currently the most common strain reported in Orange County, according to data from the agency.

The boosters are to be distributed in a single dose at least two months after the completion of a primary vaccination series or the most recent booster dose. The Centers for Disease Control has updated their online tool to help the public learn whether or not they are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster and what type.

The Pfizer-BioNTech booster is recommended for those ages 12 and over while the Moderna bivalent booster is recommended for those 18 and older. The new boosters can be administered alongside other vaccines, including annual flu shots, according to health experts.

“It’s really important to consider getting the bivalent vaccine because this vaccine has the original strain as well as an Omicron variant that will help protect you in the upcoming weeks and months,” said county health officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong in a briefing Tuesday.

“We want everybody to have a good holiday season, but that means protecting yourself against the variants that are circulating,” said Chinsio-Kwong. “Again, just remember the strong recommendation to still wear a mask, to still utilize all those preventive measures that we’ve been talking about and to get vaccinated especially when you’re eligible.”

In a statement announcing the distribution of the booster doses, the Orange County Health Care Agency encouraged eligible residents and visitors to visit vaccines.gov to find a nearby clinic that offers the bivalent vaccine. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available through the county agency at othena.com.

Chinsio-Kwong suggests residents also reach out to their local care providers or pharmacies to see if the bivalent boosters are available, as there may be some delay of notice online.

CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid websites were reporting Friday that the updated boosters were available.

Chinsio-Kwong confirmed the county agency received about 1,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech booster and about 1,000 doses of the Moderna booster. The state of California reportedly has received over 1 million doses, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“We’ve been told from the California Department of Public Health and CDC that there may initially be a ramping up period but that the vaccine will be available widely in the community in the coming weeks,” Chinsio-Kwong said.

About 2.3 million people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and an estimated 1.4 million have received boosters or additional doses in Orange County, according to data reported by the agency on Sept. 6.

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