COVID-19 vaccination centers in Southern California are offering shots to health workers, first responders and elderly residents again this week, but supplies will be limited as more people who have already received their first dose arrive for a second.
This is likely to mean significantly fewer doses for those who need their first vaccination.
Vaccine progress
California is at the bottom of the range compared to other states.
According to The Times’ vaccination report, California provided nearly 2.2 million doses of vaccine. These include 552,000 in Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange and 223,000 in the Inland Empire and San Diego County.
Authorities said the biggest problem right now is enough vaccination to meet demand.
At the current rate, it could be June before Californians 65 and older are fully vaccinated. And full vaccination in places like LA County is only possible in 2022. Los Angeles County officials said that if the weekly vaccines were to rise to 500,000 doses, the province could potentially immunize 75% of its adult population by midsummer.
This week
Officials warn that there are partial vaccine shortages because people who have already received their first shot need their second. This will reduce the amount of medicine available to people who need their first vaccination. Officials have estimated that if LA County gets 140,000 new doses this week, those who need a second dose will get the bulk.
On Friday, dr. Paul Simon, chief scientific officer of the department of public health, said a majority of the offer [this] week go for second doses. … There will be some first doses offered, but we want to be very careful, because unfortunately we can not predict the supply chain, even a few weeks ahead. ”
Simon admitted that there was tension between getting so many people vaccinated with the first dose [and] to try to make sure that everyone who is vaccinated gets the full order of two doses. ”
In Riverside County, appointments for 10,000 vaccine doses available this week were quickly snapped up.
The basic
Los Angeles County: Residents 65 and older can sign up for an appointment at the Department of Public Health website. Residents without computer access can call (833) 540-0473 between 08:00 and 20:30 for assistance with bookings. The city of Los Angeles also offers the vaccine to 65-year-olds or older another online portal. That site connects patients to mass vaccination sites.
Orange County: The province has a large-scale vaccination site COVID-19 Saturday at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. The province has its first vaccination center at Disneyland in Anaheim. Eventually, the province plans to operate five centers, which according to health officials are key to the goal of getting all residents vaccinated by July 4th. For the time being, only health workers, residents of long-term care institutions and people aged 65 and over are eligible. to be vaccinated at the centers.
Ventura County: The province offers vaccinations to residents aged 75 and over, who can sign up online for appointments or by calling (805) 477-7151.
Domestic Empire: Information for Riverside County residents can be found at the Riverside University Health System, while San Bernardino County residents province website. Both provinces offer vaccines with different restrictions in different places.