The new Food and Drug Administration-approved COVID vaccines, which are designed to target the latest virus strains, are already available at some Richmond locations.
Uninsured adults looking to receive a free shot through the CDC-funded program may want to book an appointment at a local CVS this week, where the new vaccine is currently available, because the Bridge Access Program ends at the end of August due to Department of Health and Human Services budget cuts. CVS will begin charging $190.99 for adult vaccines starting in September, but low-income youths 18 and younger can still get shots for free.
Contra Costa County plans to offer other low-cost or free vaccine options later this fall, officials said.
Those who have the option of waiting may want to aim for an October appointment, said infectious disease expert and UC San Francisco educator Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, who said that month is the “sweet spot” for timing.
Getting a shot then means the virus-fighting antibodies the vaccine helps the body develop will be more likely to peak around Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, when COVID tends to surge and spread as people are traveling and gathering with friends and family. Chin-Hong also recommends simultaneously getting vaccinated for influenza and, for people 75 or older and all people ages 60 to 74 who have chronic heart or lung disease, RSV.
Approval of the new vaccine comes during a nationwide COVID surge that started in early July and remains high but has started trending downward over the last few weeks, according to wastewater data. It’s difficult to say exactly how much COVID is spreading in Richmond as COVID data from the city’s wastewater is no longer publicly accessible. Wastewater data that is available from cities such as San Francisco and San Rafael still show high COVID spread. Vallejo’s wastewater data shows moderate levels of COVID.
New COVID vaccine recommended for ages 6 months and up
The CDC has recommended that everyone 6 months or older receive the new COVID vaccine formulated for the rest of 2024 and 2025 regardless of whether or not they have already received a COVID vaccine.
Chin-Hong agrees with the CDC’s recommendation. He told Richmondside that for a “short while” the new vaccine can help prevent people from being infected. As the virus mutates, the vaccine may no longer prevent people from catching the virus, but it helps reduce the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of developing long COVID — a condition where people suffer COVID symptoms months or years after becoming infected.
Chin-Hong said it’s especially important for those over age 65 and who are immunocompromised to get vaccinated.
“Those are the people who tend to really get into trouble with COVID,” he said. “I’m still really worried about them getting into the hospital and dying.”
The director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Dr. Peter Marks, has a slightly different view of the ideal time for people to get vaccinated. He suggests that people get the COVID vaccine as soon as they can to protect themselves from the current surge.
Both experts, though, ultimately said it’s less about the timing and more about just getting vaccinated. If people want to get the COVID vaccine now, Chin-Hong said, they should go ahead and do it.
“Ultimately the best time to get a vaccine is whenever you’re motivated to do it,” Chin-Hong said.
For those who wish to get vaccinated immediately, CVS is the only local pharmacy currently stocking the new COVID vaccine. Vaccination appointments are available at local CVS stores in Richmond, San Francisco and Pinole this week and can be booked online.
Children who are 18 and younger will continue to be able to get the new COVID vaccine for free through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children Program.
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“Ultimately the best time to get a vaccine is whenever you’re motivated to do it.”
— Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, UC San Francisco educator
Contra Costa County will provide some free vaccines this fall
According to Contra Costa Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli, some adults will be able to get free COVID vaccines early this fall through Contra Costa Health facilities such as county immunization clinics, vaccination events, and, for individuals experiencing homelessness, healthcare for the homeless services.
Those who already receive care at Contra Costa Health facilities will be able to get vaccines then, and a limited number of vaccines will be reserved for others who have difficulty accessing healthcare.
Tzvieli said that those who need vaccines but don’t have health insurance should check the Contra Costa Health website in the coming weeks for information about combined flu/COVID vaccination clinics, which are likely to be held in late October or early November.
Almost all health insurance plans will cover the new COVID vaccine in California.
COVID vaccine locations in Richmond
In addition to CVS, Richmond residents can also book appointments online now for the new vaccine at the Rite Aid in Hercules, with appointments starting on Sept. 3. Starting on Sept. 6, Walgreens will offer the new vaccine at certain locations in and near Richmond. Residents can book appointments at Walgreens online now.
A spokesperson for Sutter Health said patients will likely be able to get the newly approved vaccines by the middle of September at Sutter East Bay Medical Group’s Richmond Care Center. Residents can check Sutter’s COVID-19 vaccine resources webpage for updates.
A Kaiser Permanente spokesperson said that Kaiser also expects to begin administering the new COVID vaccine to members by the middle of September, but it’s possible they’ll start administering them sooner. She said appointments aren’t necessary for members, and they should check Kaiser’s website for the most up-to-date information.
When you do get the vaccine, Chin-Hong says Ibuprofen or other over-the-counter painkillers can be taken to treat minor pain or discomfort from the injection. Drinking water can help as well. If you’ve experienced fatigue from past COVID vaccines, scheduling the vaccine around a time when you have a day or two to rest afterward is ideal. Moving your arm around can help afterward if you experience slight pain from the injection.
Most people though, Chin-Hong said, won’t need to change anything about their daily routine as significant side effects are unlikely — particularly for those who’ve received a COVID vaccine. The body acclimates to it over time, according to Chin-Hong.
“COVID will surge again, so it’s important to get your vaccine over with,” he said. “The more people who integrate it into their lives and not fear it, the better.”
This Richmondside report is OK, but takes more than one casual read to figure out the options by population. The info could be laid out simply in a matrix.
Thank you for sharing this important information about COVID testing and vaccinations! It’s reassuring to see the community coming together to prioritize health and safety. The updates on vaccine availability and testing options are incredibly helpful. Keep up the great work in keeping us informed and protected!