Berkeley Health Officer Backs Revised CDC Vaccine Guidance

BERKELEY, CA — Bay Area health officers including Berkeley’s top health officer issued a joint statement Friday in support of the CDC’s newly revised immunization guidance allowing people to get other vaccines at the same time they get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Bay Area health officers encourage providers to offer routinely recommended child and adult vaccines at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines.

Out of an abundance of caution and not due to any known safety or concerns, the CDC had previously recommended that COVID-19 vaccines be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines.

Now that we have substantial data and real-world experience with the COVID-19 vaccines, we feel confident that it is safe for everyone to get immunized simultaneously against COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

"We know a lot of people have delayed getting care and regular immunizations during the pandemic," Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez said in a statement.

"This new guidance will make it easier for people to catch up on any immunizations they're due for when they get a COVID-19 vaccine at their provider's office."