Los Angeles County will prioritize second vaccine doses next week amid supply shortages

NORTHRIDGE, California (KABC) – There is more capacity at the five super vaccination sites in Los Angeles County than there are vaccines. Starting Tuesday, the county will change its priorities from first-dose vaccines to people who need a second dose.

The change is being made for people who received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and need the second after 21 days, Manuel Martinez told the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The state is fighting to acquire more doses to inoculate Californians who want it. At the moment, first-line health workers, those living in nursing homes and anyone over the age of 65 are eligible.

Mel Valladares was able to get his parents the first shot of the vaccine at the Cal State Northridge site after making an online appointment.

“We had a bit of a problem with the first website, but the second website, My Turn, is really good. They like the service, it’s fast and easy. Come on, wait 15 minutes and we’re done,” he said. to say. dit.

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In East Los Angeles, people waited in line Saturday in front of the Monsignor Oscar A. Romero Clinic, which received 100 doses of the Modern vaccine. A staggering 40% of the clinic’s patients tested positive for COVID-19, compared to the county’s 16.5% positivity rate.

“Many undocumented, many essential workers come to the Romero Clinic and they are the ones who are dying,” Carlos Vaquerano told the clinic.

Despite the shortage of vaccines, state and local health officials expect the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to receive FDA emergency use authorization. Doing so could help increase distribution and speed up the vaccination process.

For now, those who have had the first doses of the vaccine are beginning to plan for a better future.

“I hope to reunite with my friends I haven’t seen in a year, and maybe if it just means wearing masks and being distanced (physically), but at least maybe now we’ll feel a little safer seeing others face to face even though we all know we still have to be careful, ”said Candy Miyamura, who also received her shot at CSUN.

Once vaccines are fully available, super places like Northridge will be able to vaccinate up to 4,000 daily.

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