Older Adults Urged to Get COVID-19 Booster Shot in Marin County

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northgate-vaccinations-october-2021-1-cropped

Marin County Public Health and health care partners are jointly urging older residents to obtain COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Marin hospitals are reporting increased COVID-19 admissions among residents over age 65 who were vaccinated more than six months ago.

Booster doses are authorized for eligible groups who received the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago, and similar authorization is expected for Moderna and Janssen boosters by later this week.

Anyone eligible for a booster may visit GetVaccinatedMarin.org to find a convenient vaccination location.

Since vaccines became widely available in early 2021, nearly 95% of Marin residents over age 65 have been fully vaccinated, and local COVID-19 deaths rates have fallen dramatically. To maintain this protection, Marin County Public Health has set a goal for at least half of all residents over age 65 to receive their booster within the next month. Currently, only 25% of residents in that age group have received a booster dose.

“Vaccines are by far our best line of defense, and to maintain that high level of protection some of us benefit from a booster. It’s that simple,” said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis. “The tragic death of Colin Powell highlights the vulnerability of vaccinated people with weakened immune systems. An additional booster shot can help keep you healthy.”

Since June 2021, among people admitted to a hospital in Marin for COVID-19 who were fully vaccinated, 77% were age 65 or older. Younger residents who develop breakthrough infections are at a far lower risk of being hospitalized.

In Marin, which has one of the oldest populations in the state, protecting seniors has been a priority at every stage of the vaccination campaign. There were 51,616 Marin residents aged 65 and over who completed the vaccine series more than six months ago; 37% of those who received the Pfizer vaccine and have received a booster shot.

Doctors caring for COVID-19 patients in Marin’s hospitals are eager to see more uptake of boosters.

“This is about prevention. The virus is still active in our community and we all can be exposed,” said Dr. Laura Eberhard, Chief of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care for Kaiser Permanente San Rafael. “With the holidays approaching, getting a COVID-19 booster will allow us to safely spend time with friends and loved ones.”

As of October 14, 92.5% of Marin’s eligible population (age 12 and older) has completed a COVID-19 vaccination series. Marin’s standing regarding case counts, hospitalizations and deaths, all significantly lower than state averages, are attributed to high vaccination rates.

Vaccine providers across Marin are offering booster doses and plan to expand offerings following the pending federal authorization for boosters beyond the Pfizer vaccine.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

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