Officials in Los Angeles on Monday expressed anger over vaccine protesters who temporarily blocked the vaccine distribution center at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, saying they hope to avoid future interruptions.
“I was very upset and discouraged,” LA County Superintendent Hilda Solis said of the disruption of the vaccination efforts.
Solis said authorities would set up space in the future for protesters who could share their views but would not disrupt the flow of traffic.
“I understand that people have the first amendment rights. “But if you become disruptive and actually create more problems through congestion, traffic congestion or hostility in a way that is not conducive, I would like to involve our public safety officials in it and be there to protect all those involved, ‘ Solis said.
Los Angeles firefighters closed the main entrance to the stadium – one of the largest vaccination rooms in the country – for about an hour on Saturday after 40 to 60 protesters appeared on Stadium Way, with signs cutting off masks while they unfounded allegations about the dangers of the vaccine.
The group dispersed around 3 p.m., and no arrests or injuries were reported, said LAFD chief Ellsworth Fortman, who oversees the department’s COVID-19 response. According to Fortman, approximately 5,740 doses of the vaccine were released on the premises on Saturday, distributing 5,700 to 7,700 doses daily. Workers were still vaccinating people in the stadium during the hour that the main entrance was closed, he said.
Although it is not clear who organized the rally, kites promoting the event were shared online by the group Shop Mask Free Los Angeles, whose members have repeatedly visited supermarkets and stores in recent months and attempted to sell items without masks. buy.
The events usually end in arguments between the members of the group and shop assistants, and sometimes lead to reactions from law enforcement officers according to videos published by the group online.
To date, more than 886 000 doses According to the Times Vaccination Track, the two types of COVID-19 vaccines are being administered across the country.
“LA County today administered more doses of vaccine than any other major county or major city in the United States, and we have the highest percentage of administration,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the province’s health department.
But the shipments were inconsistent. For the week of Jan. 11, LA County received 193,950 doses; the following week it received only 168,575 doses and only 146,225 doses the week after.
“The rate of vaccinations remains very slow due to the limited supply,” Ferrer said second doses is currently prioritized among the residents of the region.
Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.