This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Health Officials To Everyone In LA: Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine. Yes, Even If You Already Had The Virus
Dr. Jerry Abraham of Kedren Health takes a photo of Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer (C) with health care workers during a Covid-19 mobile vaccine clinic at last weekend's Watts Juneteenth Street Fair.
(
PATRICK T. FALLON
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
L.A. County health officials are renewing the call for everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine — even if you've already been infected.
Need Some Help?
We have a helpful guide to getting vaccinated. Check out our printable Vaccine Game Plan
Medical experts overwhelmingly agree that getting one of the three available vaccines is a safer and vastly more effective means of protection than relying on a previous infection to keep you from getting sick again. The push comes in part to counteract anti-vaccine fringe groups that say the human body's natural defense mechanisms are enough to fight off the virus.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer debunked that claim during Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting:
"While it is true that people who have been infected with COVID have some natural immunity, the unfortunate reality is that immunity wears off," she said. "And we're not exactly sure, for each individual person, when it's going to wear off. So it's really important that people do come in and get vaccinated."
Ferrer also dismissed anecdotes from people who claim they've been around infected people but were never infected — pointing to the fact that people with the coronavirus often don't exhibit symptoms.
She also noted that unvaccinated people are particularly vulnerable to new viral mutations, especially the fast-spreading Delta variant, which she called the "most infectious variant that has been identified to date here in California."
Sponsored message
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
