Los Angeles County continues its efforts to ensure that the greatest number of its residents older than 12 years are vaccinated before 15 June, which is the deadline for all restrictions to be lifted in California .
In North Hills, in the San Fernando Valley, several residents received a visit from local officials and volunteers this Thursday to promote the VaxUp LA (Vaccinate LA) campaign, which is releasing pertinent information about Covid – 19 and the importance of immunization.
Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martínez and various volunteers knocked on doors in low-income areas. Interested residents were vaccinated at the time by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics with the Pfizer vaccine.
The councilwoman said daily Covid numbers – 19 in Los Angeles are falling due to rising vaccination in the population, but we are still not safe.
“This vaccination campaign will help us improve immunization rates in communities of color, so I am excited to be knocking on doors and do my part to end this pandemic, “Martinez said in a statement.
” We all want Los Angeles to return to ‘normal’, but we must make sure that the most vulnerable members of our community are protected. ”
So far, people who have 12 years or more are eligible to receive one of three approved vaccines in the United States; Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.
What’s going on in the south?
South Los Angeles is another area with a low number of vaccinated.
Dr. Jasmine Eugenio, associate medical director of the Martin Luther Outpatient Center King, from South Los Angeles, said that his patients, who are mostly Latino and African American, are usually afraid of getting vaccinated due to mistrust.
“In general, Latinos are very suspicious of the medical system that have. But now that we have the vaccine, they always ask me why it came about so quickly, “said the doctor.
In addition, Latino patients, especially immigrants, are concerned about sharing their personal information.
“They are always afraid if they are undocumented or if they are asked too many questions, even if we tell them over and over again that it is free and that it does not matter what status they have,” said Eugenio. And he asserted that many parents fear vaccinating themselves but are not afraid of vaccinating their children.
“Even before the vaccine was approved, they asked me when it was going to happen,” said Eugenio. “Although they have doubts about their person, they want their children to be vaccinated, they want their children to be safe when they go to school.”
So far the most common reactions that she has noticed in the children is very similar to that of adults but milder; headache, arm redness and swelling, and tiredness.
James Westbrooks, spokesman for Councilman Curren D. Price, who represents South Los Angeles District 9, said the past two weeks had a very low number of vaccinated.
He indicated that much of it was due to the fact that they were offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which many people distrust due to the blood clots that it caused in the past in certain patients .
“But next week we will be offering the Pfizer vaccine,” said Westbrooks.
In South Los Angeles, which includes District 9, they have been vaccinated about 250,000 people. Inoculation work is being coordinated between local councilors, the Kedren clinic, St. John’s Well Child and Family Center clinics, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the Central Neighborhood Health Foundation.
Currently, Los Angeles County is at the yellow level, the least restrictive under the State Plan for a Safer Economy.
So far there is a rate of 0.7 new cases for each 100, 06. Additionally, the test positivity rate has dropped between 0.5% and 0.4% across the county, as well as in low-income and low-income communities.
The danger continues
Despite more than 5.3 million Los Angeles County residents of 16 years or more have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 4.3 million are fully vaccinated, the danger of contagion and death continue.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed nine additional deaths on Wednesday, of which eight were greater of years, and 120 new cases of Covid – 19.
DPH Director Barbara Ferrer said the people getting vaccinated are helping Los Angeles County become one of the best places in the country to e prevent the spread of the virus.
“The most important step that each person older than 12 years it may take to prepare for our full reopening on 15 June is to get vaccinated ”, said Ferrer adding that people still have to maintain social distancing and wear the mask.
Although the 53% of Los Angeles County residents of 15 years or more is fully vaccinated, data shows that only 38% of Latinos are fully vaccinated Compared to 54% of white residents and the 61% of Asian residents.
The 55% percent of African Americans and the 58% of Latinos older than 65 years are fully protected, compared to the 67% of Asians and the 70% of white seniors.
Incentives to get vaccinated
Los Angeles County continues with 765 sites open, including pharmacies, clinics , community sites and hospitals, so that residents have more access to the vaccine.
The county is also sending mobile vaccination teams to neighborhoods for people who due to age, disability, employment or other impediment cannot reach the established vaccination sites.
There is 188 sites where mobile teams will offer vaccines this week, which are concentrated in areas of greatest need and most affected.
Additionally, from this Friday, June 4 until next Thursday 10 June at County, City of Los Angeles, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center administered vaccination sites will be offering the opportunity to win prizes to those who get vaccinated.
People older than 18 years who get their first or second dose of the vaccine will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the local season 833 – 2022 of the LA Football Club or Los Angeles Dodgers soccer team.
Official rules and locations of participating sites will be posted on the Los Angeles County Vaccine Giveaway online this Friday.
Vaccines are free and available to residents and eligible workers, regardless of their immigration status.
To find the nearest vaccination site you can call 1 – 833 – 540 – 0473 or visit www.VacunateLosAngeles.com