Culver City Observer -

Almost 30,000 booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered across L.A. County over the weekend between Friday, October 22 and Sunday, October 24. As of October 24, nearly 425,000 additional or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Los Angeles County residents.

With millions of unvaccinated residents and the highly transmissible Delta variant circulating, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) encourages everyone not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated, and everyone eligible for a booster to get their booster.

Out of nearly 10.3 million L.A. County residents, almost 40% are not fully vaccinated; this includes 1.3 million children under 12 not yet eligible for vaccine. Public Health estimates 3.6 million residents in L.A. County are eligible for boosters.

Boosters are available for eligible individuals for all three FDA-approved vaccines; Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Residents who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster at least two months after their first dose. Residents who received the second of a two-dose Pfizer or Moderna series at least 6 months ago are also eligible for a booster dose if they are:

• 65 years and older OR

• Age 18 and older who live in long-term care settings OR

• Age 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions OR

• Age 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings

All eligible individuals are allowed to choose a different brand from their original vaccine as a booster. Residents can make an appointment for their booster by using MyTurn.CA.gov or the County website at VaccinateLACounty.com and for more information about booster doses. Additionally, many pharmacies and clinics countywide may be accepting appointments through their own systems.

Today, Public Health confirms 20 new deaths and 827 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 20 new deaths reported today, four people who passed away were over the age of 80, six people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, six people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 and three people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health has identified 1,486,614 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,572 deaths.

There are 629 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 9,002,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today's test positivity rate is 0.9%.

We extend our deepest sympathy and our prayers to all mourning the loss of a loved one," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. "After reviewing safety and efficacy data, the FDA's vaccine advisory panel met today and recommended Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11, bringing us closer to expanding vaccine access to 900,000 L.A. County children; fully vaccinated children will be better protected at schools, youth activities, holiday gatherings and celebrations, and homes. Once the CDC issues final approval and guidance, the County is prepared to begin offering doses to younger children as early as late next week through our vast network of countywide providers."

Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

Visit: http://www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and http://www.VacunateLosAngeles.com to find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. If you don't have internet access, can't use a computer, or you're over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.

Vaccinated middle and high school students are eligible for free UCLA football tickets. UCLA has partnered with Public Health to give away free tickets to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl to middle or high school students in L.A. County who've received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while tickets last. Students aged 12 to 18 who've received at least one dose can sign up for the free tickets online by visiting: http://ph.lacounty.gov/DPHUCLAVaxforTix.

COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.