As COVID-19 cases surge in Europe and health experts look ahead to the coming cold months, California recently expanded booster eligibility to help mitigate the chance of another surge in the state.
"I do think we’re going to have a winter surge in the United States," said Dr. Andrew Noymer, Epidemiologist & Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of California, Irvine on Monday’s Ask an Expert.
"Even in California, where most of us have great weather year-round," he told KCBS Radio’s Holly Quan and Matt Bigler.
The decision was made last week in California, with state Public Health Officer Tomás Aragón writing to local health officials and providers advising them to "allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure."
"Do not turn a patient away who is requesting a booster" as long as they meet the right criteria, he wrote, including being over 18 and it has been at least six months since their initial dose.
Along with California, Colorado and New Mexico have also expanded their booster requirements.
The hope is that with more people getting booster shots ahead of the season, there will be less of a spike in case numbers than there was last year. Cases will rise regardless, but more booster shots will at least dampen the risk, said Noymer. Europe hasn’t distributed any boosters, and is now experiencing a surge, he said.
As for California, it’s likely now that the state is expanding criteria, the CDC will follow suit. "California in many cases has led where the CDC has followed during this pandemic," said Noymer. "That’s a sad statement."
Everyone over the age of 18 is now eligible, and should go out and get the booster as soon as they can, he said. The only factor that would prevent them from receiving the dose is if their first series was administered less than six months ago.
Some people might be frustrated that they still have to get another shot after receiving their initial doses, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent, said Noymer. "There was always that possibility that boosters would be needed," he said.
As Thanksgiving approaches, people don’t necessarily have to stay at home like they did last year, because people are now vaccinated. “I do think it’s safe for people to meet in sort of a quasi-normal Thanksgiving setting, provided everyone is vaccinated,” he said.
"This Thanksgiving is going to look more like, and should look a lot more like a regular Thanksgiving," said Noymer.
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