canyonwalker: coronavirus (coronavirus)
canyonwalker ([personal profile] canyonwalker) wrote2021-11-12 12:29 pm

Boosters for all adults in California

Yesterday the California Department of Health (CDH) announced that all adults 18+ are eligible for Covid-19 booster shots. The CDH directed health providers not to turn anyway away on the basis of age (other than 18+) or health risk. The only eligibility requirement is that people must wait 6 months after their 2nd shot of Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, or their 1 shot of J&J. Example news coverage: NPR article, 11 Nov 2021.

This news came a few days after Santa Clara County, where I live, announced a similar broadening for its jurisdiction (2 million population). The State of Colorado announced a similar broadening Thursday.

There seems to be a much lower take rate for the booster than for the initial vaccine back in March. Recall how I drove 105 miles each way to get my first shot. I was able to get an appointment locally for the booster within a few days. Ditto for Hawk.

While the lower take rate suggests a lot of people who clamored for the initial vaccination feel they're adequately protected with the basic vaccination, I strove to get my booster when first eligible because I know that I'll be going into higher risk situations around Thanksgiving with travel to visit family in places that have laxer health standards and higher infection rates than here.