Public Health Urges Everyone to Get Fully Vaccinated Ahead of 4th of July

2 New Deaths and 135 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 2 new deaths and 135 new cases of COVID-19.  The number of cases and deaths are likely to reflect reporting delays over the weekend. Of the two new deaths reported today, both people that passed away were between the ages of 50 and 64.

To date, Public Health identified 1,246,436 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,415 deaths. There are 212 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 6,902,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.5%.  Case numbers and other metrics continue to remain low.

Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get vaccinated ahead of time to celebrate Fourth of July safely. Receiving the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by June 20 allows for the two-week time period needed to be fully protected by July 4. If the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose vaccines are your preference, it is strongly recommended that you begin your two-dose series as soon as possible to have some limited protection before the July 4th holiday.

Last week, the Food & Drug Administration authorized an extension of the shelf life for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from 3 months to 4.5 months (an additional 6 weeks). Public Health has notified the healthcare community to check expiration dates and update their inventory accordingly since these doses can be used over a longer time period.

“We send our deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a friend or loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As Los Angeles County fully reopens tomorrow, there will be increased risk of COVID-19 infection for people who aren’t fully vaccinated. In any setting, if you are not vaccinated and around people outside your household, your mask offers the best protection against the virus. We continue to get vaccines to everyone who wants one, and to help answer questions and provide vaccine information to those making a decision on getting vaccinated. With distancing requirements and capacity limits in almost all settings lifted, wearing an appropriate mask is critically important for those not yet vaccinated, including the 1.2 million children between the ages of 2 and 12.  Unvaccinated adults that are in close contact with others should consider wearing a double mask or a respirator, which offer more protection for the wearer.”

There continues to be differences in COVID-19 vaccinations between racial and ethnic groups. Looking at the percent of Los Angeles County residents with at least one dose of vaccine, the differences are stark among teens in both the 12-15 and the 16-17 age groups. Only about half as many Black and Latinx teens are getting vaccinated as White, and Asian teens.  Among teens 12-15 years old, 13% of Black and 18% of Latinx teens have been vaccinated, compared with 48% Asian and 34% of White teens.  Among teens 16-17 years old, 23% of Black and 35% of Latinx teens have been vaccinated, compared with 72% Asian and 53% of White teens.

The data is similar for young adults 18-29 years old: 25% of Black adults and 39% of Latinx adults have been vaccinated, compared with 72% of Asian and 55% of White adults. The County continues to see among Black residents, a disproportionality in the 30-49 year old group: 36% of Black adults and 47% of Latinx adults have been vaccinated, compared with 70% of Asian and 60% of White adults.

Through Thursday, June 17 at County-run vaccination sites, participating LA city and mobile sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites, everyone 18 and older coming to get their first vaccine or who brings a first-time vaccine recipient with them to their second dose appointment, will have an opportunity to win a pair of season tickets to the 2021-2022 home season of the Clippers, the Rams, or the Chargers.  Official rules and participating site locations are posted online on the Los Angeles County Vaccination Sweepstakes page.  Winners will be contacted by phone and/or email.

To find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). 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.  Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

County Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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