CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination of Adolescents Age 12 and Older
August 6, 2021
  • COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased in Orange County.
  • The delta variant is currently the predominant strain here and nationwide.
  • The majority of cases are occurring in unvaccinated persons, but breakthrough cases have been seen in fully-vaccinated persons.
  • Approximately 90% of hospitalized patients in Orange County are unvaccinated.
Key Testing Recommendations for Providers
  • All unvaccinated persons 12 years of age and older without contraindication should receive COVID-19 vaccination now.
  • All persons with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be tested, regardless of immunization status.
Current Epidemiology
 COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased significantly in Orange County. Cases are primarily occurring in those who are unvaccinated; in recent weeks, persons who are not fully vaccinated in Orange County have been over five times more likely to get COVID-19 compared to those who are fully vaccinated. Surveillance data gathered from multiple hospitals in the county indicates that approximately 90% of hospitalized cases are unvaccinated.

About 20% of cases have been seen in persons who are fully vaccinated. All those with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should be tested, even if fully vaccinated. 

The delta variant has rapidly become the most prominent variant identified in Orange County, found in over 90% of specimens tested in recent weeks. 

County surveillance data, which is updated regularly and includes current county epidemiology broken down by variants and vaccination status, can be found here.  
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody products can be utilized for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in nonhospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who are at high risk for progressing to severe disease. The NIH guidelines for use of monoclonal antibody products can be found here.

On July 30, the FDA revised the EUA for REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab, administered together) monoclonal antibody therapy, authorizing REGEN-COV for emergency use as post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 in adults and pediatric individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
Immunization if the most effective method of protection against
COVID-19
Persons who are not fully vaccinated in Orange County have been over five times more likely to get COVID-19 compared to those who are fully vaccinated; all EUA-approved vaccines appear to protect against disease caused by the delta variant. A recently published study from Public Health England which reviewed COVID-19 epidemiology in that country indicates that mRNA vaccines are effective in preventing infection with the delta variant, with only modest differences in vaccine effectiveness as compared with the alpha variant after the receipt of two vaccine doses (88.0% for delta vs 93.7% for alpha). 
Providers are interested in obtaining vaccine to vaccinate their patients are encouraged to contact OCHCA at IAP@ochca.com.  Patients who need assistance in finding a vaccination site can be referred to the OCHCA

New State Health Orders for Healthcare Settings
The California Department of Public Health issued two new health orders on August 5, 2021 that impact health care settings:
  • The first order requires workers in health care settings to be fully vaccinated or receive their second dose by September 30, 2021.
  • The second order directs hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities to verify that visitors are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for COVID-19 in the prior 72 hours before indoor visits.
Contact Information
For questions or concerns, please contact the Communicable Disease Control Division at 714-834-8180.
If you do not currently receive our Provider Advisories you can add yourself to our email list via the button below.