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Booster shots now will help prevent winter surge, immunity expert says

A student looks back at his mother, as he is vaccinated at a school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students 12 and older in San Pedro, Calif., Monday, May 24, 2021.
Damian Dovarganes / AP
A student looks back at his mother, as he is vaccinated at a school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students 12 and older in San Pedro, Calif., Monday, May 24, 2021.

California public health officials are ramping up efforts to get booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine into as many eligible adults as possible.

Earlier this week, the state’s public health director urged regional health care providers not to turn down any eligible patients for an additional shot.

The message goes beyond what the CDC recommends, which is to only allow boosters for certain, more vulnerable demographics.

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The tone of the message underlines a slow initial demand for boosters from state residents as the winter months approach - a combination that some fear could lead to another surge in cases.

Dr. Davey Smith, head of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at UC San Diego, said that booster shots would greatly alleviate the stress of a potential surge on the state's medical infrastructure.

Booster shots now will help prevent winter surge, immunity expert says
Listen to this story by KPBS Midday Edition.

"I am sure we're going to have an increase in cases, and having more people better vaccinated with a booster will help," Smith said.

Smith joined Midday Edition on Friday to break down efforts to distribute booster shots to California residents.