Los Angeles County will prioritize second dose of vaccine next week due to supply shortage

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

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

The state is struggling to acquire more doses to vaccinate Californians who want one. For now, frontline health workers, people living in nursing homes and anyone over 65 are eligible.

Mel Valladares was able to get his parents vaccinated for the first time at the Cal State Northridge site after making an appointment online.

“We had a little trouble with the first website, but the second website, My Turn, is really good. They love the service, it’s quick and easy. You get by, 15 minute wait and we’re done, “he told me.

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In eastern Los Angeles, people lined up in front of Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero on Saturday, which received 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine. An incredible 40% of the clinic’s patients have tested positive for COVID-19, up from 16.5% of the county’s positivity rate.

“A lot of undocumented people, a lot of essential workers come to Clinica Romero and it is they who die,” said Carlos Vaquerano of the clinic.

Despite a looming vaccine shortage, state and local health officials are hopeful that Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine will receive emergency use clearance from the FDA. If so, it could help boost distribution and speed up the vaccination process.

For now, those who received their first doses of the vaccine are starting to plan for a better future.

“I hope to meet my girlfriends who I haven’t seen in a year, and maybe if that just means wearing masks and being (physically) left behind, but at least maybe now we’ll feel a bit safer seeing each other face to face even though we all know we still have to be careful, ”said Candy Miyamura, who was also hit at CSUN.

Once the vaccines are fully available, super sites like Northridge will be able to vaccinate up to 4,000 per day.

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