The Los Angeles Post

Older Adults Who Received Bivalent Boosters Significantly Less Likely to be Hospitalized, Die from COVID-19

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1,096 New Positive Cases and 17 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

New data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) shows older adults who received the bivalent booster were significantly less likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 than their counterparts who either were unvaccinated or were vaccinated and have not yet received the bivalent booster.

Unvaccinated adults 80-years-old and older were more than three times as likely to be hospitalized and more than five-and-a-half times as likely to die than people in the same age group who received the bivalent boosters.

These trends are even more pronounced amongst those ages 65 to 79. Unvaccinated people in that age group were 12 times as likely to be hospitalized and almost 16 times more likely to die compared to others the same age who had received the bivalent booster.

Health outcomes for older people who received the booster also were significantly better than for older people who were vaccinated and have not yet gotten the booster.

People 80-years-old and older who got the original series vaccinations only were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized and nearly three times more likely to die compared to others in the same age group who were fully vaccinated and had received the bivalent booster.

The same held true for people ages 65 to 79. They were nearly three times as likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die if they had just the original series vaccinations as compared to people the same age who received both the original vaccinations and the bivalent booster.

Bivalent boosters offer effective protection against severe illness, especially for people who are 65 years old or older. The boosters are helping to lower hospitalization rates and keep Los Angeles County in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Low COVID-19 Community Level for the fifth consecutive week.

Currently, Los Angeles County’s Low Community Level included a 7-day case rate of 72 new cases per 100,000 people, stable from the week prior. The 7-day total for new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people is currently 7.5, slightly elevated from 7.0 last week. And the 7-day average of the proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is now 3.9, remaining stable from the week prior.

Getting the bivalent booster is key to protecting everyone, especially people ages 65 and older, even if they are healthy, from adverse COVID-19 outcomes. Despite the documented health advantages, only 40% of eligible Los Angeles County residents 65 and older have received the updated bivalent booster.

Vaccinations and boosters remain free and available to adults and children ages 6 months or older. The bivalent booster is recommended two months after their last COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

For anyone who is unable to get to a vaccination site, free transportation is available. Public Health also offers a homebound vaccine program for residents in need of flu and COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent booster.

Residents may access both services by calling 1-833-540-0473, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. Additional information about vaccines, testing and treatment may be found at VaccinateLACounty.com or VacunateLosAngeles.com (en español).

“I extend my deepest sympathies to those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19 and I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you, and I wish you comfort and strength,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “The data clearly shows that the bivalent booster provides substantial protection against hospitalization and death across all age groups, and this is especially important for older residents who face the great risks. While the continued affirmation that our vaccines and the new bivalent booster work well is great news, it is also distressing to know that resources that help prevent death are available, and that they are not being taken full advantage of.”

Today, Public Health reported 17 additional deaths and 1,096 new positive cases. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 35,545. There are 687 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov including:

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

For more information:

Cases through 12:00pm 2/16/2023

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,694,317

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,493,166

— Long Beach

161,697

— Pasadena

39,454

Deaths

35,545

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

33,719

— Long Beach

1,384

— Pasadena

442

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

– 0 to 4

110,202

– 5 to 11

281,287

– 12 to 17

276,107

– 18 to 29

751,654

– 30 to 49

1,121,482

– 50 to 64

604,739

– 65 to 79

256,403

–  over 80

88,830

–  Under Investigation

2,462

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  Female

1,800,848

–  Male

1,602,112

–  Other

1,757

–  Under Investigation

88,449

Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

6,632

–  Asian

259,139

–  Black

182,767

–  Hispanic/Latino

1,498,000

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

17,531

–  White

482,780

–  Other

399,675

–  Under Investigation

646,642

Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

172,177

Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

79

–  Asian

4,369

–  Black

3,158

–  Hispanic/Latino

16,639

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

115

–  White

8,876

–  Other

396

–  Under Investigation

87