Good news: Beginning tomorrow, every Californian 50 years and older will be eligible to get a vaccine –– bringing our state, our city, and our communities a step closer to ending this pandemic. If you’re eligible for a vaccine, you can book your appointment. This milestone comes as many regions in the United States contend with a […]
Good news: Beginning tomorrow, every Californian 50 years and older will be eligible to get a vaccine –– bringing our state, our city, and our communities a step closer to ending this pandemic. If you’re eligible for a vaccine, you can book your appointment.
This milestone comes as many regions in the United States contend with a new surge of coronavirus infections –– largely driven by the more transmissible B.1.1.7. variant of the coronavirus. While Los Angeles’ case numbers and hospitalization rates remain low, experience has shown us that when cases rise in other parts of the country, they can rise here as well.
This time can be different. We now have an advantage we didn’t have when infections skyrocketed around Thanksgiving: almost 50 percent of L.A. County residents have received at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
All three vaccines we’re using in L.A. work very well against this variant. All of them protect our city, our loved ones, and ourselves. And all of us must play a role in making sure the 5 million eligible people in our County who haven’t yet been vaccinated receive their shot as soon as possible.
Here are the facts you need to know:
ELIGIBLE NOW: Starting tomorrow, the City will open up vaccinations to Angelenos age 16 and older at City-operated vaccine sites. L.A. County residents can start making appointments for this week on the City’s online portal. Please note the Pfizer vaccine is authorized for those 16 years and older, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 years and older.
SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENTS: City sites will offer second dose appointments this week for Angelenos who received their first Moderna shot between March 15 and March 20 or their first Pfizer shot between March 23 and March 27. Second dose patients should have received notifications with their appointment details recently by text and/or email. Patients should note that the date stamped on the CDC vaccination cards received after their first dose is not an appointment confirmation. Instead, everyone should use the appointment details provided by Carbon Health.
‘MOVE’ MOBILE VACCINE PROGRAM: The City continues to deliver vaccines directly to those who need it most through the MOVE program. Since launching this program, mobile clinics have partnered with trusted community groups in areas most impacted by COVID-19 to deliver over 73,000 doses to vulnerable Angelenos, with over 90% given to people of color. This week, mobile teams will be deployed to residents in Wilmington, South Park, Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Village, Westlake, Melrose Hill, Panorama City, Pacoima, and other neighborhoods.
CAL STATE L.A. SITE: As the State and Federal governments hand over operations at Cal State L.A., the City’s vaccination program now has the capacity to administer up to 54,000 vaccines a day, pending supply. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will lead the team at Cal State L.A., supported by staff from Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), as well as those contracted locally for the site through FEMA and CalOES.
BY THE NUMBERS: The City of Los Angeles has administered 936,970 vaccine doses at our City-run vaccination sites and mobile clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and fire stations. Since last Monday, our centers have provided 87,764 life-saving vaccinations.
VACCINATION SITES: More than 540 locations are currently vaccinating people in L.A. County. As more doses become available in the coming months, more sites and providers will administer shots. When your turn arrives, you can make an appointment and bring your ID to the site. If you are 65 or older, have a disability, or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.
NOTIFY LA: The City will occasionally send targeted text updates about new appointment availability to communities with high cases of COVID-19. To receive text updates, sign up for Notify LA.
STAY INFORMED: It can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing vaccine news. Get key information by signing up for email updates from the L.A. County Department of Public Health or getting automatically notified when you become eligible for the vaccine. Tell your friends and family to sign up for this VaxFacts newsletter or follow us at @MayorOfLA on Twitter. You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Stay healthy and be safe.
Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor
P.S. As the COVID-19 crisis continues, so does the City’s sweeping response. To learn more about how we are protecting Angelenos –– through testing, economic relief, and other measures –– visit our website.