Bay Area Health Officials Defy CDC, Urge Flu, COVID & RSV Shots for All

All 13 public health directors in the San Francisco Bay Area issued a joint message this week. They urged residents to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations, even though the CDC has dropped its universal COVID vaccine recommendation. 

Health leaders say the COVID vaccine still offers strong protection against severe illness and hospitalization. They argue it’s a vital tool for public health, especially when facing overlapping respiratory viruses. 

Officials also recommended the RSV shot for high-risk groups like infants, the elderly, and pregnant people. But they maintain that everyone aged 6 months and up should consider getting the updated flu and COVID boosters. 

Dr. Monika Roy, Santa Clara County’s Deputy Health Officer, highlighted how flu now shows two seasonal peaks—one in summer and one in winter—which increases the urgency for vaccinations.  She also noted uncertainty around how COVID will behave this winter. 

The CDC’s change in policy has slowed vaccine rollouts in some places, officials said. Still, health leaders assured the community that vaccines remain widely available across the Bay Area. 

They emphasized their mission: to give science-based guidance and protect community health—even when federal advice shifts.