“It didn’t hurt at all”, that was the response of Jesús Bernal, from 12 years, immediately after he was immunized with the first dose of Pfizer vaccine against COVID – 19 applied this Friday by the medical assistant, Karina Morales at the Monsignor Oscar A. Romero Clinic in Los Angeles.
Sitting quietly and playing On his laptop, the little boy waited a few minutes to be vaccinated. He was accompanied by his mother, Elizabeth Martínez and his little brother.
“I want to be sure that the virus does not hit me,” the seventh grade student from John Burroughs middle school from Los Angeles.
“Everyone should get vaccinated because if they don’t, the virus can enter the body easier.”
In the city and county of Los Angeles, vaccination efforts have expanded for half a million adolescents of 12 to 15 years, after federal authorities approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group.
Until 13 May, almost 70% of County Residents Older than 64 years had already received their second dose; there was 17 new deaths and 284 New Confirmed COVID Cases – 19.
At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a guide that indicates that people who are fully vaccinated against the virus can safely resume the activities they did before the pandemic.
Similarly , the CDC’s immunization advisory committee voted Wednesday to approve the use of the Pfizer vaccine in a younger age group.
The city of Long Beach began providing the injection from Thursday and in Los Angeles the task began yesterday Friday.
“I just called the clinic and they told me that I could bring my child, that it was not necessary to make an appointment,” said Elizabeth Martínez, mother of four children.
Faced with reluctant attitudes and myths that some people in the Latino community still believe – such as that they are going to be injected with a chip or that men and women could become sterile – this woman from Mexico City who cleans offices said that: “we should all get the vaccine ”
“ Doctors have already told us that it is safe and effective and that it protects against contagion. We should help by getting vaccinated so that our children return safely to school, ”he added.
Meanwhile, at the Monseñor Oscar A. Romero Clinic on Marengo Street, the Salvadoran Adriana Godoy and her adolescent-adult children , from 19 Y 25 years, they went home happy to have received the second dose of the Moderna vaccine.
“A lot people are in their world and that’s why they don’t want to get vaccinated, ”she said. “I get vaccinated because COVID – 19 is a virus that can kill me. ”
Leaders call to get vaccinated
Carlos Vaquerano, executive director of the Monsignor Oscar A. Romero Clinic, Councilor Kevin de León (District 14) and the consuls of Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras met in front of the clinic on Marengo Street, in Boyle Heights, to appeal to the Latino public so that their children of 12 to 15 years and older are inoculated.
“It is very difficult to motivate our people; It is not the most ideal that someone has to die to get the vaccine, ”Vaquerano told Real America News. “I think that when they see people without a mask they will understand that it is someone who has already been vaccinated and people will have more confidence even going to the store … The vaccine is the solution to the pandemic.”
Councilor De León expressed that through the two Monsignor Oscar A. Romero clinics they have applied 17, 00 0 vaccinations in the MacArthur Park area and in Boyle Heights.
“There are no excuses for not getting vaccinated; it does not cost and the only thing that is about is saving the lives of our families, fathers, mothers, grandparents, neighbors, co-workers, etc. “, he said.
” If Los Angeles has been the epicenter of infections and high mortality rates, there are no excuses for not wanting to protect us all. ”
For her part, the Consul General of Honduras, María Fernanda Rivera revealed that she spent two weeks very difficult, after contracting the virus that has already accumulated 1, 236456 of positive cases in Los Angeles County and has caused the death of 24, 057 individuals.
“Nobody has to go through an experience So; this pandemic is something in which we are together and the step to the solution is vaccination, “said the diplomat.
Where can you vaccinate your children?
Carlos Vaquerano reported that every Saturday they will be offering the Pfizer vaccine to children of 12 – 14 already young at Hollenbeck High School in the 510 E 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90023, since 8: 00 am No appointment required.
County Public Health will host a “Vaccine Assembly for Parents” on Tuesday 18 May 6: 00 pm where they will post the latest updates on the vaccine, including information for n children. The assembly will be streamed live on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube @lapublichealth. For more information and to submit a question, visit: tinyurl.com/VaxTownHall4Parents
Rite Aid Pharmacies are also allowing schools and organizations to inquire about vaccine clinics directly with the company: riteaid.com/covid-18 / community-clinics
The list of vaccination sites in Los Angeles County that offer the Pfizer Youth Vaccine of 12 to 17 years is available HERE
In Long Beach, which has its own separate LA County Health Department, Pfizer vaccines are available to those over the age of 12 years without an appointment in:
- TheLong Beach Convention Center, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of 11 am to 5 pm;
Friday of 11 am to 6 pm, and Thursdays and Saturdays from 05 am to 3 pm. - Cabrillo High School, located at 1200 Santa Fe Ave., Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm
- Tucker Middle School, 2221 Argonne Ave., Wednesday 2: 30 to 4: 30 pm
To find a vaccination site near you home, make an appointment at the vaccination sites and much more, you can visit:
VaccinateLACounty.com (with data in English) and VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you do not have Internet access or have more than 65 years, you can call 1 (833) 540 – 0473 to help you find an appointment or schedule a home visit if you are homebound.
Remember that any minor between 12 to 17 years must be accompanied by an adult at a vaccination site.