The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of a second COVID-19 vaccine booster for patients who are over 50, or immunocompromised.

The booster was authorized for both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna-based COVID-19 vaccines and may be administered at least four months after their previously administered booster dose, which was authorized on Oct. 20, 2021.

“Current evidence suggests some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals,”Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics and Evaluation and Research said. “Based on an analysis of emerging data, a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could help increase protection levels for these higher-risk individuals.”

The second booster doses may be given to immunocompromised populations over 12 years old and extend to people who have had a solid organ transplantation, or have conditions equivalent to being immunocompromised.

After the FDA made its announcement on Tuesday, L.A. County Public Health said it had booster doses available for those who qualify to receive them, starting Wednesday, March 30.

Locations offering the second booster in L.A. County include, Obregon Park (East Los Angeles), Ted Watkins Park (South Los Angeles), Balboa Sports Complex (Encino), Commerce Senior Citizens Center (Commerce), Market Street Center (Santa Clarita), Palmdale Oasis Recreation Center (Palmdale), and the Norwalk Arts and Sports Complex (Norwalk).

L.A. County Public Health also recommended checking with local vaccination sites to see their availability for the second boosters.

COVID-19 metrics continue to decline in L.A. County, with a reported 541 new positive cases, seven new deaths and 321 patients currently hospitalized with the disease. At this point last week, the county had more than daily 700 positive cases, 378 hospitalizations and more than 20 daily deaths.

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