Some LA county residents who were scheduled to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine will have to wait longer after authorities withdraw some doses allocated to Ralphs pharmacies.
The LA County Department of Health, acting at the request of the California Department of Public Health, “retrieved” 10,000 doses of Ralphs pharmacies that were destined for upcoming appointments, supermarket chain officials said.
The doses will be used instead to support the county’s “mega-PODS”, or mass vaccination sites. Scheduled residents were notified of the change by phone and email on Thursday.
The situation highlights the serious lack of availability of vaccines, as the county tries to inoculate health professionals, first responders and people aged 65 and over. With so many people needing the second dose, there is less vaccine available for those seeking the first dose.
Ralphs spokesman John Votava said that only people who seek the first dose will be affected and those who will receive the second dose will still receive the vaccines. LA County health officials could not be reached immediately for comment.
“We are striving to be part of the solution for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, while trying to be a good partner for public health departments across Southern California,” said Votava.
Ralphs’ message informed people that their appointments could be delayed “by potentially four weeks or more”, depending on the future delivery of doses from the county or direct from the state. People can stay in line or explore other nomination opportunities, he said.
The news comes as the county struggles to meet rising demand for doses, while making plans to open new vaccination sites in neglected areas.
For residents who wish to receive the vaccine, it was a significant blow.
“They shouldn’t be confiscating doses from pharmacies,” said Joy, a resident of western Los Angeles who asked that her surname not be revealed.
Joy’s mother, in her 70s, has already received the first dose of Ralphs and was waiting for the follow-up appointment.
“We were told to get the second dose from the original provider, but now it seems that it is impossible or at least very late,” she said.
More than 40 Ralphs pharmacy locations are listed as county vaccination locations. Votava said only the first dose holders in 37 locations received emails about the move, but it is possible that some people who received the message have scheduled more than one first appointment.
“Anyone who has received the first dose is guaranteed a second dose and will be contacted directly by our pharmacy to schedule the second dose closer to the vaccine deadline,” he said.
The lack of clarity has created confusion and anxiety for several people, especially older people over 65 who are eligible for the vaccine in the first phase of implantation in the county.
“A date doesn’t even guarantee that now,” wrote Steve Kosareff, a Los Angeles resident, on Twitter.
Kosareff said he scheduled his first photo with Ralphs weeks ago. After receiving the cancellation notice, he unsuccessfully searched for places with his healthcare provider and at Dodger Stadium.
“It looks like nothing will be available for weeks, if not months,” he said.
According to the state’s vaccination panel, 735,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in Los Angeles County and 2.8 million in the state.
Melissa Hill, a spokeswoman for the Albertsons supermarket chain – which is also helping with vaccine distribution in Los Angeles – said her pharmacies had not received a similar order from the county.
Team writer Jessica Roy contributed to this report.