The county’s vaccination rate for the new COVID-19 booster is under 10% as of about a week ago, according to county officials.
In September, the FDA authorized the new vaccine and the CDC recommended it for those ages six months and older. The county was between a 8-9% vaccination rate as of about a week ago, according to Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager Sean O’Donnell during a media briefing Wednesday. He said it looks like last year’s booster shot campaign when vaccination rates were lower than initial vaccination rates in the county.
County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Madaleno said, “Unfortunately after nearly two months, the Covid vaccine rate for the new booster is only around 9% of the total population.” He encouraged residents to get their COVID-19 booster as well as vaccines for the flu and RSV.
According to the county’s COVID-19 vaccine webpage, most health insurance plans cover the vaccine for free.
But, O’Donnell said the county’s team has heard and experienced challenges with getting COVID-19 vaccinations now from insurance companies that have been “less than forthright with private providers about how they will reimburse those shots.”
O’Donnell pointed out challenges with people trying to determine where they can go where they are covered and with making appointments. Some providers have told people they might need to pay upfront until insurance clarifies how they will reimburse. He encouraged people to contact their providers or pharmacies, saying that usually pharmacies can inform people if their insurance provides coverage.
“That’s just the nature of where our healthcare and insurance system is now,” O’Donnell said.
Officials have advised residents to contact their healthcare provider or go to vaccines.gov to find locations for COVID-19 and flu shots. A bridge access program provides vaccines to uninsured adults — those options are also viewable through the site.
