Today we learned that two shipments of vaccines we expected to arrive in L.A. this week are delayed due to the severe winter storms across the country. As a result, about 12,500 patients with Friday vaccination appointments at our large vaccination sites will have their appointments rescheduled automatically and will receive a notice of a new date and time when shipments arrive. Mobile sites will not be affected.

This is a nationwide issue, but it’s still frustrating news –– and it comes on the heels of other vaccination delays we’ve experienced in Los Angeles this week. Over the last few days, the City has prioritized second dose appointments at all of our sites because supply is highly limited. If you signed up for your first dose at a City site but received a notification that your appointment is delayed, don’t worry: your appointment has likely already been rescheduled.

These delays are not a reflection of how fast we can vaccinate Angelenos at our City sites –– our infrastructure is among the most efficient of any city in the United States. Los Angeles simply isn’t receiving enough doses to meet our daily capacity. We need more vaccines.

Still, L.A. continues to build out our vaccination system, including launching a new Mobile Outreach for Vaccine Equity (MOVE) program to deliver vaccines to vulnerable communities citywide, adding a new express lane at Dodger Stadium for Access Services customers with disabilities.

We can protect more lives and prevent more suffering –– and we will continue to advocate at every level until we have enough vaccines.

Here are the facts you need to know:

• SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENTS AFTER THIS WEEK: If you received your first dose of vaccine at a City site but are not due for your second dose this week, you will receive an email and text messages with information about your second dose appointment 3 to 7 days beforehand.

• OUR ‘MOVE’ PROGRAM: Tonight, I announced our new MOVE initiative, an effort to scale up mobile vaccinations across the most vulnerable parts of Los Angeles. MOVE will put a total of ten mobile vaccination teams in the field by the end of March, deploying them to areas with a high COVID-19 risk profile. When we get the supply over the coming weeks and months, these teams will scale up their operations and have the capacity to vaccinate thousands of people every day in neighborhoods across the city.

• VACCINE ACCESS FOR ALL ABILITIES: Tonight, I announced that we will open an express lane at Dodger Stadium for customers of Access Services, the agency that provides transportation to Angelenos with disabilities. The new express lane will open on Monday, February 22nd. Beginning this Sunday night, Access riders can book their vaccination appointment pending availability and a round-trip ride to Dodger Stadium by calling (626) 532-1616.

• BY THE NUMBERS: The City of Los Angeles has administered 336,088 vaccine doses at our six City-run vaccination sites, skilled nursing facilities, and fire stations. Since last Wednesday, our centers have provided nearly 55,000 life-saving vaccinations despite supply and weather challenges.

• ELIGIBLE NOW: All L.A. residents 65 and older are eligible for the vaccine in L.A. County, in addition to healthcare workers, certain essential frontline workers, and residents and staff of skilled nursing facilities.

• UP NEXT: L.A. County announced those who are in Phase 1B, Tier 1 –– including teachers and workers in education and childcare, food and agriculture, and emergency service and law enforcement –– will become eligible for vaccination on March 1st. In addition, 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.

• VACCINATION SITES: More than 350 locations are currently vaccinating people in L.A. County. As 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.

• GET THE LATEST INFORMATION: Get key information by signing up for email updates from the L.A. County Department of Public Health. When your turn comes, make an appointment. 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.

Stay healthy and be safe.

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.