Tonight I announced several important updates to our vaccination effort in Los Angeles –– including the deployment of vaccination teams directly to homebound Angelenos and a partnership with Uber to provide free rides for South L.A. residents to our new USC vaccination site opening on Tuesday, March 9th.
These critical programs build on our commitment to equity and promise to deliver lifesaving doses to more people across our city. And these announcements come on the heels of another boost to our local vaccination efforts: the FDA’s authorization of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
This new shot is just as effective as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death –– and it only requires one dose. That’s a game-changer because, while doses are severely limited right now, the addition of this shot will eventually help move us closer to herd immunity.
The bottom line: all three of the FDA-approved vaccines work. All of them will save your life or the life of someone you love. So when your turn arrives, do your part and get vaccinated.
Here are the facts you need to know:
  • ELIGIBLE NOW: On Monday, teachers, and workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency services became eligible for vaccination at City of Los Angeles sites. Vaccinations remain open for those who were already eligible: residents 65 and older, healthcare workers, certain essential frontline workers, and residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities.
  • UP NEXT: The State announced that vaccinations will open to residents between 16 and 64 years old who have certain disabilities or severe underlying medical conditions on March 15th. Sign up to be automatically notified when you become eligible for the vaccine. You can also check what phase you’ll be in.
  • FREE RIDES TO USC: Tonight we launched a new partnership to give Angelenos a ride to our newest vaccination site at USC. We’re starting with an extraordinary contribution from Uber, which will provide 15,000 free rides –– and another 20,000 rides half-off –– to pick up residents in South L.A. and take them to get vaccinated. This is the largest commitment of its kind anywhere in the country.
  • ‘MOVE’ VACCINE EQUITY PROGRAM: Our MOVE initiative is deploying mobile vaccination clinics to the most vulnerable parts of Los Angeles. We’ve partnered with trusted community organizations to administer over 11,500 shots –– 93.5 percent of which have gone to people of color.
  • VACCINE ACCESS FOR ALL ABILITIES: Tonight, I announced a new program to get life-saving vaccines to L.A. residents who are homebound due to chronic disease, disability, or other reasons. This initiative builds off our other successful efforts to bring critical COVID-19 services to vulnerable communities –– and aims to vaccinate 300 homebound seniors in the coming week and soon reach residents of public housing, senior centers, and other long-term facilities.
  • EXPRESS LANE: Additionally, an express lane at Dodger Stadium is serving customers of Access Services, the agency that provides transportation to Angelenos with disabilities. Access riders can book their appointment (pending availability) as well as a round-trip ride to Dodger Stadium by calling (626) 532-1616.
  • BY THE NUMBERS: The City of Los Angeles has administered 477,654 vaccine doses at our City-run vaccination sites and mobile clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and fire stations. Since last Monday, our centers have provided 126,642 life-saving vaccinations despite supply and weather challenges.
VAX FACTS By the Numbers 3.4.21
  • VACCINATION SITES: More than 500 locations are currently vaccinating people in L.A. County. As more doses become available in the coming months, more sites and providers will administer shots. When your turn arrives, you can make an appointment through the County hub and bring your ID to the site. If you are 65 or older, have a disability, or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.
  • AVOIDING VACCINE FRAUD AND SCAMS: There have been reports of fraudsters impersonating vaccination workers and setting up fraudulent sites to steal peoples’ money and personal information. Remember: no one legitimate will ever try to sell you the vaccine –– online, over the phone, or in person. Learn more about protecting yourself against vaccine scams.
  • NOTIFY LA: The City will occasionally send targeted text updates about new appointment availability to communities with high cases of COVID-19. To receive text updates, sign up for Notify LA.
  • STAY INFORMED: It can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing vaccine news. Get key information by signing up for email updates from the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Tell your friends and family to sign up for this VaxFacts newsletter or follow us at @MayorOfLA on Twitter. You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

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Last week, I welcomed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the Cal State L.A. vaccination site, where we discussed how we can work together to bring the pandemic to an end.

Stay healthy and be safe.

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Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor

P.S. As the COVID-19 crisis continues, so does the City’s sweeping response. To learn more about how we are protecting Angelenos –– through testing, economic relief, and other measures –– visit our website.