COVID-19 vaccination centers across Southern California will be offering vaccines again this week to healthcare professionals, first responders and older residents, but supplies will be limited as more people who have already received their first dose will arrive for the second .
This will likely mean fewer doses for those who need the first inoculation.
Vaccine progress
California is at the bottom of the list, compared to other states.
According to The Times’ vaccination tracker, California provided nearly 2.2 million doses of the vaccine. This includes 552,000 in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties and 223,000 in Inland Empire and San Diego counties.
Authorities said the biggest problem at the moment is getting enough vaccine to meet demand.
At current rates, it may be June before Californians 65 and older are fully vaccinated. And full vaccination in places like LA County may not be possible until 2022. Los Angeles County officials said that if weekly vaccine shipments increased to 500,000 doses, the county could immunize 75% of its adult population by the end of the year. middle of summer.
This week
Authorities warn that vaccines will be scarce in part because people who have already received the first injection now need the second. This will reduce the amount of drugs available to people seeking their first vaccination. Authorities estimate that if Los Angeles County receives 140,000 new doses this week, those who need a second dose will get the lion’s share.
On Friday, Dr. Paul Simon, director of sciences for the county’s Department of Public Health, said on Friday that “most of the supply [this] week will go for the second doses. … There will be some first doses offered, but we want to be very careful because we cannot, unfortunately, predict the supply chain, even several weeks ahead. “
Simon acknowledged that there was tension “between wanting to vaccinate as many people with the first dose [and] trying to ensure that all vaccinees receive the full two-dose sequence. “
In Riverside County, appointments for 10,000 doses of vaccine available this week were quickly canceled.
The basic
Los Angeles County: Residents aged 65 and over can apply for a consultation with the county’s Department of Public Health Internet network location. Residents without access to a computer can call (833) 540-0473 between 8 am and 8:30 pm for help with reservations. The city of Los Angeles is also offering the vaccine to people over 65, through a different online portal. This site connects patients to mass vaccination sites.
Orange County: The county opened a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site Saturday at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. The county launched its first vaccination center at Disneyland in Anaheim. Eventually, the county plans to operate five centers, which health officials say is the key to its goal of vaccinating all residents by July 4. For now, only health professionals, residents of long-term care facilities and people aged 65 and over are eligible to be vaccinated in the centers.
Ventura County: The county is offering vaccines to residents aged 75 and over who can sign up for online appointments or by calling (805) 477-7151.
Inner empire: Information for Riverside County residents can be found at Riverside University Health System, while San Bernardino County residents can consult the county website. Both counties are offering vaccines with varying restrictions in several locations.