Is now the time for a new COVID-19 shot?

The COVID-19 summer surge was a surprise, but are we safe now that the numbers are trending downward?

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is an ongoing risk, according to Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and associate division chief of UC San Francisco’s Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, but more so for some than others. Gandhi explains who is most at risk, who is safe and when to get the vaccine.

What was behind the increase in COVID-19 cases during the summer?

COVID-19 is not yet a seasonal virus. Flu and cold viruses are most prevalent in the fall and winter because they thrive in cold and unventilated locations. However, the COVID-19 virus has not yet settled into a typical seasonal pattern because it is very prone to mutating into new variants that are more transmissible than the last. The virus surges both in the late fall/winter, like other respiratory viruses, but also surges whenever there is a more transmissible variant.

While we did see a spike in reported COVID-19 infections last summer (2023), this summer’s spike was significantly higher and was a result of a new variant.

Why is there a new vaccine? Is there a new variant?

The current dominant variants are in the KP family (KP.1, KP.2, KP.3). KP.2 was the prevalent variant this summer, but, according to CDC groundwater testing, KP.2 is declining and KP.3 is on the rise. The current vaccination will offer protection for the KP variants.

If you received the last COVID-19 shot for the XBB variant in spring 2024, you are not fully protected at this time.

Who makes the new vaccines?

The new vaccines, directed against the KP family, are from Pfizer and Moderna. The vaccinations are interchangeable and require only one shot. The Moderna vaccine is said to contain a slightly higher dosage and, therefore, can cause more of a reaction in some recipients.

A new Novavax vaccination directed against the current variant was also recently approved.

Who should get the latest vaccine?

The people who are most at risk for having a more severe case of COVID-19 if they catch it are those who are immunocompromised, older than 65 years and those with multiple co-morbidities – or multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, etc.

These people should “run, not walk” to their pharmacy because there is a large amount of the virus circulating in communities right now. These at-risk groups are most susceptible to severe infections and will benefit most from the COVID-19 vaccine, which will increase their antibodies to help prevent infections.

I contracted COVID-19 this summer. Do I still need a vaccination?

If you are in one of the three high-risk groups, you should get a COVID-19 shot even if you contracted COVID-19 this summer. However, if you did contact COVID-19 this summer and are in a high-risk group, I recommend you wait about three months before getting the current vaccine for it to be most effective.

This summer’s COVID-19 surge was so high that many in the population likely have natural immunity to the variant going into the winter months. For those who are under 65 with no co-morbidities, your body has likely developed natural immunity heading into winter, so you may not need the current COVID-19 vaccine. It is best to check with your physician.

Is it advisable to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations at the same time?

It is okay to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines concurrently. Tests have shown that COVID-19 and the flu vaccine are effective when taken together.

Is it okay to get the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines simultaneously?

The CDC now recommends those 75 years and older receive the RSV vaccine along with those who are 60-74 years if they have chronic conditions that put them high risk of severe RSV. If you are in this group and plan to get a COVID-19 vaccination, I recommend you get the COVID-19 vaccination first and wait about two weeks to get your RSV shot. The reason is there haven’t been enough studies to confirm whether simultaneous COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations might interfere with each other.

Lorna Fernandes writes for the University of California San Francisco.

Boyles fire fully contained; repopulation started, schools to plan reopening

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Firefighters completely contained the Boyles fire on Wednesday afternoon.

“Lake County Fire’s command is over now that it is 100% contained,” wrote Lake County Fire Marshal Autumn Lancaster in a text message to Lake County News.

The city of Clearlake started repopulation at 7 p.m. Wednesday for “habitable dwellings” in the fire area, said City Manager Alan Flora.

The repopulation started at 18th Avenue and continued north.

The Clearlake Police Department said the area south of 18th Avenue and north of Seventh Avenue, between Boyles Avenue and Irving Avenue, is still under mandatory evacuation orders.

Flora stressed that residents should not access fire-damaged properties until the Department of Toxic Substance Control comes to help remove hazardous wastes and make sure it’s safe.

“It could be dangerous now,” Flora said. There’s no final date to when that will take place but, “we’re trying to get them in this week.”

The fire started Sunday afternoon at around 2 pm in the area of Boyles Avenue and Dam Road, and has burned 81.2 acres.

As of Wednesday evening, the fire is confirmed to have destroyed 35 homes, 32 garages and outbuildings, and 79 vehicles, Flora said. Another three homes and four garages and outbuildings were damaged.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Lake County Fire and Clear Lake Police Department with assistance from Cal Fire, according to Lancaster. “No arrests have been made in correlation to the cause of a fire.”

Woodland Community School and Obsidian Middle School were the focus of fire operations on Wednesday, Lancaster said.

“None of the structures were burned, but the vegetation around it,” she said, adding they were “just making sure all those areas were completely mopped up and safe.”

Despite not losing any buildings, schools affected by the fire reported serious smoke damage and will remain closed until thorough cleanup is completed.

West Coast Emergency Restoration has been hired to do the cleaning at Obsidian Middle School, Blue Heron and Lewis schools since Tuesday, said Becky Salato, superintendent of Konocti Unified School District.

“If they get it finished tomorrow, then we may be able to reopen Friday,” Salato said on Wednesday.

Salato said a total of 700 to 720 students from the three schools are out of school now.

The biggest concern is “for our kids and our families that lost their homes,” said Salato. “Not only the kids that are directly affected with losing their homes, just the trauma of a fire really brings out a lot of emotional stuff.”

Salato said that schools will have counselors on campus and are organizing support for students and their families.

“A shout out to our community just in general. Our first responders are just amazing,” Salato said.

Woodland Community College had its insurer examine the quality of the air inside the school buildings and it was recommended to do deep cleaning and replace filters in the buildings, according to Korinda Ebenhack, Dean of Woodland Community College's Lake County Campus.

The school will remain closed for the rest of the week. “My estimation is that we probably will be reopened on Monday,” said Ebenhack.

Some 1,000 students are having online classes and about 50 on staff are working online with the students including student services and instructors, she said.

Ebenhack said one person from the staff went back to campus on Monday under supervision of the fire officials to bring out laptops for colleagues who evacuated without their computers so that they could work remotely.

“We're just so thankful people were on it, and we've had such a great response from the community, you know, people reaching out and checking on us,” said Ebenhack.

Email staff writer Lingzi Chen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lake County declares local emergency following Boyles fire

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In response to the devastating impacts of the Boyles fire, Sheriff Rob Howe has declared a local emergency.

The fire began on Sunday, Sept. 8, near Boyles and 8th avenues in the city of Clearlake.

While the city of Clearlake bore the brunt of the fire's destruction, including the loss of more than 30 homes and the evacuation of over 4,000 residents, the fire’s effects were felt beyond the city’s borders.

Infrastructure damage resulting from the fire has caused widespread power outages, affecting areas in unincorporated Lake County as well, the sheriff’s office reported.

In support of the city, the county has deployed emergency management resources and personnel, including sheltering, law enforcement, building officials and environmental health services to assist in the response.

Recovery efforts are underway, and the county said it remains committed to working closely with the city, state and other partners to support those in need during this challenging time.

The Lake County Community Foundation established the Lake County Comes Together Emergent Needs Fund to provide swift assistance in response to emergencies such as the Boyles Fire. For information visit https://www.lakeccf.org/.

The Lake Area Rotary Clubs Association Emergency Relief Fund is accepting donations for Boyles fire victims. For information visit https://www.larca5130.org.

Further information for residents is available at https://Ready.LakeCountyCa.gov, including a link to the city’s Boyles fire information and resources and a “Recovery” tab that includes a comprehensive list of recovery resources compiled by the Department of Social Services.