Dear Friends –

I was glad to hear many stories from residents 65 and older who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, some of which you can find below. These are the kind of stories – stories of relief – that I had hoped to hear after signing an Executive Order to expand the eligibility to include residents 65 and older.

The sense of relief that was communicated to my office was palpable.

- Advertisement -

 

“Thank you for opening up magic mountain vaccination site for seniors. We made our appts Wednesday and just left the site. The vaccination process took under an hour. Very caring staff and an amazing number of very capable volunteers. Being vaccinated will change our lives and we look forward to seeing our grandchildren very soon. Thank you.” – Randy

“Supervisor Solis, THANK YOU, because of your continuous effort my 72 year old mother was able to get vaccinated.” – Belinda

“Thank you, Ms. Solis, for getting the vaccine to the 65 and older people in your jurisdiction I am 81 years old, and was desperate to get the vaccine. For all the old people, I want to thank you for helping us to protect ourselves from this deadly virus. Going to the grocery store has been so frightening, and I haven’t gone anywhere else for almost a year. It is very reassuring to think that in 28 days, if I’m lucky, I will have an immunity to the deadly virus. I so appreciate your contributions to me and to all seniors in your jurisdiction.” – Judy

Older adults have been disproportionately impacted by this virus so it is a matter of equity to prioritize them in the vaccine rollout. I also recognize that the appointments are currently limited, and that is because we still do not have enough supplies to meet the enormous demand.

However, we should not let perfection be the enemy of good – the technical issues will be fixed, and we are working with the state and federal governments, who are now all aligned with the same mission, to end this pandemic. The County, along with many partners, has ramped up our infrastructure and is ready to receive more doses to vaccinate a lot more people.

I am advocating directly to the President of the United States Joseph R. Biden to send more vaccine doses to Los Angeles County, as we are one of the hardest hit counties in the nation. Furthermore, I am asking the President to prioritize Los Angeles County in rolling out his federal community vaccination centers, which would be supported by FEMA. We need those vaccination centers here in the County, particularly in my district where the highest rates of COVID-19 occur.

In the meantime, I urge patience and for everyone to continue to take safety precautions.

Sincerely,

Chair Hilda L. Solis

Supervisor, First District

Appointments Required to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

I recognize that there have been difficulties making appointments online, like many other jurisdictions with lower populations are experiencing. To that end, the County is continuing to work with our State partners to improve navigation and functionality on their system.

I also am deeply concerned about the digital divide in many communities of color and underserved areas, which is why we launched a call center and are continuing to increase capacity – so that those that do not have access to or understand technology can schedule an appointment in a convenient manner and in their preferred language.

In order to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, an appointment is required. For those with internet access, please visit VaccinateLACounty.com to schedule an appointment. Residents without internet access can call (833) 540-0473 for assistance. Thank you for your patience and persistence.

Come Prepared to Your Vaccination Appointment

Come prepared to your COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Please make sure to bring proof of:

• Appointment Date and Time;
• Age;
• Los Angeles County Address;
• Credentials (if you’re a healthcare worker)

For a complete list, visit: VaccinateLACounty.com.

Don’t be Fooled – Beware of Vaccine Scams

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are using robocalls, social media posts, and emails to take advantage of fear, anxiety, and confusion about the pandemic. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out in Los Angeles County, scammers are targeting local residents with new, vaccine-related schemes.

Here are the facts:

• The COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed in a fair and transparent way.
• The COVID-19 vaccine will be given to Los Angeles County residents at no cost and regardless of immigration status.

To learn more, visit: covid19.lacounty.gov.

Volunteer to Vaccinate

The County of Los Angeles is looking for licensed clinical professionals to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts including:

• Preparing and drawing the vaccine;
• Monitoring vaccine temperature;
• Administering the vaccine;
• Observing people for reactions to vaccine

If you, or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, click here.

Sign up Today – COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter

Sign up for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health vaccine newsletter to receive updates by clicking here.