Unexpected first additional vaccine doses available in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – While Los Angeles County officials warned that most of the major vaccination sites this week would focus on giving second doses, Dodger Stadium had first additional doses available on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said there were about 7,000 appointments available at 1 p.m.

Over a million doses of the vaccine have already been administered in Los Angeles County.
The county expects to receive 218,000 additional doses this week, according to county health director Dr. Barbara Ferrer. About 55% go for second dose vaccinations.

RELATED: Los Angeles County Faces Unpredictable Vaccine Supply

It seems that part of the confusion stems from county authorities referring to the fact that the first dose shortage is only at sites run by the county itself, while other venues like Dodger Stadium are managed by the City of Los Angeles. At county-run sites, LA County Public Health says people looking for their first dose should wait until this week, so they have enough vaccine to deliver second doses.

But health officials say an extremely low number of black residents have received the vaccination, which has spurred new outreach efforts.

In south Los Angeles, a four-day mobile vaccination center has been set up, targeting health workers and residents over 65.

“Sometimes people don’t have a car, a way to get to the vaccination sites, so we go looking for people,” said Curren Price, Los Angeles city councilor. “We want to make sure that we are doing all we can to reassure them that help is on the way, that they can get vaccinated and that we can return to normal life.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom is officially opening another immunization supersite, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The site is expected to eventually increase to 15,000 vaccinations per day.

Still, Newsom insists on the importance of continuing to maintain safety protocols, as health officials have found three serious COVID-19 mutations in California, with more than 1,200 known cases.

In Los Angeles, City Councilor Joe Buscaino introduced a motion to dedicate a week at Dodger Stadium to help vaccinate more teachers and get back to classrooms. Buscaino says he spoke with LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner.

The motion calls on the city attorney to consider all legal options to help safely reopen schools for in-person instruction.

Newsom says he believes schools can safely reopen before employees are vaccinated, and that it is essential to reopen schools this year for younger students.

However, teacher unions argue that unless they are offered the vaccine, they should not be forced to return.