Dr. Laura Likar, a Dominican Hospital employee, receives a COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 16, 2020. (Pool photo by Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Vaccine resource page
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY >> Health leaders and physicians across Santa Cruz County are advising residents to stay up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine to protect against severe illness from COVID variants. Primary care providers, health clinics, pharmacies and some supermarkets offer COVID and influenza vaccines in the county.
In June, all 17 members of the vaccine advisory panel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were fired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The new panel includes many vaccine skeptics.
On Sept. 19, that panel recommended vaccination only for anyone six months or older with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection, and seniors 65 years old and older. For everyone else, the panel said vaccination should be “determined by individual decision-making.” Read updated guidance on COVID vaccines by age group from the CDC.
In light of changes in federal health recommendations under the leadership of vaccine-skeptic RFK Jr., appointed by President Donald Trump, the California Department of Public Health released its own recommendations for vaccination.
A new state law ensures most health plans will cover the shots for everyone six months and older despite the FDA’s decision not to approve the shots for most people under 65.
The states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii issued their own COVID vaccine recommendations in September. An accompanying press release from California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote that the recommendations were meant to counter changes to the CDC by the Trump administration.
The county and its clinics will follow state recommendations, said Corinne Hyland, public information officer for the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency.
“With AB 144 signed into law, COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines will continue to be covered by health plans in most cases,” Hyland said.
California law previously required health insurance plans in the state to pay for vaccinations for customers consistent with federal recommendations. AB 144 directs health plans to cover preventive care including immunizations according to federal recommendations that were in effect as of January 1, 2025, or added by the California Department of Public Health.
Details on the available shots
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for everyone six months and older, prevents serious illness, slows the spread of the virus and reduces the burden on hospitals and clinics. It recommends vaccination for pregnant people and children, despite CDC changes that removed that recommendation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all children six months to 23 months old, as they are at risk of severe infection. It also recommends that children of all ages who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 receive the updated 2025-2026 vaccine.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that “all pregnant and lactating individuals receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine.”
Updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax are now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and available.
Pfizer and BioNTech’s 2025-2026 formula Comirnaty was approved for adults 65 years and older and people aged 5-64 years old with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19
Novavax’s 2025-2026 formula Nuvaxovid and Moderna’s 2025-2026 formula mNEXSPIKE were approved for individuals 65 years and older, or aged 12-64 years old with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Underlying conditions that increase risk include asthma, chronic heart disease, HIV, and pregnancy or recent pregnancy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new vaccines target variants which have evaded immunity of prior vaccines, much like a flu shot requires an update every year.
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Nik Altenberg is a bilingual reporter and assistant editor at Santa Cruz Local. Nik Altenberg es reportera bilingüe y editora asistente para Santa Cruz Local.
Tyler Maldonado holds a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley. He writes about housing, homelessness and the environment. He lives in Santa Cruz County.
