New Covid Boosters Available; Cases Shrink

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Covid Boosters Available; Cases Shrink

On Sept. 7, the new Covid-19 vaccine boosters became available in Santa Cruz County, where active cases have fallen in the past month from 1,217 to 445.

While cases are down, three more deaths were reported involving people 65 and older with medical conditions; one was vaccinated and two were not.

The boosters from Pfizer and Moderna aim to protect against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is no longer circulating, and the current dominant omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

To expedite emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, boosters were not tested in humans but mice. Pfizer submitted findings based on 8 mice. Human trials began in August.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommends a booster 2 months after the primary series or the last booster dose, as the protection wanes.

Moderna’s is authorized for those 18 and older and Pfizer’s is authorized for those 12 years and older. The original mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are no longer authorized as booster doses.

“Updating our booster vaccines to combat the circulating variants marks our transition to living with COVID,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, deputy health officer for the County of Santa Cruz. “The COVID-19 virus continues to change and adapt and so must we. Staying up to date on your COVID vaccinations continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

To get a booster, contact your healthcare provider or book an appointment through MyTurn, Vaccine Finder or local pharmacies. For a list, see www.santacruz health.org/coronavirusvaccine.

For local information call (831) 4544242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n

••• Active COVID cases: 491

••• COVID Deaths: 273 As of Sept. 29

Age 85 and older: 120 • 75-84: 62 65-74: 49 • 60-64: 15 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions Yes: 223 • No: 50

Vaccinated Yes: 36 • No: 237

Race White 160 • Latinx 90 Asian 16 • Black 3 Amer Indian 1 • Hawaiian 1 Another 2

Gender Men: 138 • Women: 135

Location At facility for aged: 117 Not at a facility: 156

“Algal Blooms” from page 4

During an algal bloom, people and pets should not have contact with or drink the water. This includes coastal lakes and lagoons, and any outflows across local beaches. Toxins from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be fatal to pets.

Health risks to humans include respiratory problems, liver problems, skin rashes, and gastrointestinal upsets.

Brownish or rust-colored algal blooms should also be avoided. Residents should heed posted advisories and wash your skin with clean water should an exposure occur. For information, visit www.scceh.com.

Suspected harmful algal blooms or related illnesses can be reported to the California Water Quality Monitoring Council at (916) 341-5357 or toll free at (844) 7296466. n