Healthcare Staff In South LA To Obtain COVID-19 Vaccine In Effort To Take away Stigma – CBS Los Angeles

By Last updated Jan 7, 2021

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – To combat the stigma the coronavirus vaccine may have among minorities, Los Angeles officials hosted a special vaccination event in southern LA on Thursday morning.

People wait in long lines for their tests at a COVID-19 testing center at Lincoln Park Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 6, 2021. (Getty Images)

The event, co-sponsored by the Special Needs Network, was held at St. John’s Well Child & Family Center, where frontline health workers would receive public vaccinations.

The aim of the event was to reassure low-income areas disproportionately affected by the virus that the vaccine is safe. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti was among those who were supposed to be in attendance.

In a press release, SNN cited polls showing the vast majority of African Americans and Latinos do not trust coronavirus vaccines.

RELATED: Over 8,000 people are now hospitalized with COVID-19 in LA County

The city of LA is now vaccinating frontline healthcare workers at eight locations:

Ritchie Valens Leisure Center in Pacoima,
Balboa Sports Complex in Encino
Hazard Recreation Center in Boyle Heights
El Sereno Recreation Center
Lincoln Park Leisure Center
San Fernando Park
Crenshaw Christian Center in South LA
Hansen Dam

2,000 people can be vaccinated every day at the eight locations.

The LA Times reported that the sites were hit with a crowd of non-healthcare workers trying to get the vaccine and that about 100 people were given vaccines without any evidence that they were in healthcare.

Officials on Tuesday closed a loophole requiring photo ID and documentation of work in the health care industry before people can get the vaccine, The Times reported.

“I want to reiterate that this applies to healthcare workers. We know you are on the front lines and move layer by layer and we want to protect you so you can protect us,” Garcetti said Tuesday.

There are a total of 18 vaccination sites across the LA county, and the director of public health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer said six to eight more could open on Wednesday if the county receives enough doses of the medication.

Eligible health care workers can register for a vaccination appointment at publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup.

In total, LA County has administered over 100,000 vaccinations, many of which were given to patients and staff in qualified care facilities.