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COVID is surging in California. Should you get vaccinated now?
San Francisco Chronicle • • health
Key Points:
- California is experiencing a significant summer surge in COVID-19 cases, with infections and hospital admissions rising since June, surpassing typical winter levels for the second year in a row.
- State health officials recommend that residents who have not yet received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine get vaccinated now rather than waiting for the updated 2026-27 vaccine, to ensure protection during the current surge.
- The 2025-26 vaccines target the LP.8.1 or JN.1 variants, while the upcoming 2026-27 vaccines will target the XFG variant, which is currently the predominant strain in the U.S.
- California's public health department forecasts lower COVID-19 activity this winter, supporting the advice to get vaccinated during the ongoing summer surge.
- As of February, only 18% of U.S. adults had received the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine, indicating low uptake nationally despite the current surge.
