"I can tell you a lot of hard work went into making sure the people who don't live and reside in the area will not be brought in here and were told, 'Please wait your turn or go to your appropriate location in your city and your zip code,'" said Hilda Solis, L.A. County supervisor who represents East L.A. "Don't come into the most hard pressed communities like East Los Angeles and the Southeast community."
According to the most recent data from L.A. County, unincorporated East L.A. has a case rate of more than 19,000 cases per 100,000 people -- which is more than 95% of communities in the county. About 11% of East L.A. residents are vaccinated -- which is lower than two-thirds of communities in the county.
"And that's how we got to people who needed the vaccine here today, and that's what we will do every day until East L.A. and Boyle Heights and our communities are vaccinated," said Jim Mangia, CEO and president of St. John's Well Child and Family Center. "This is about equity, this about justice, this is about the COVID vaccine."
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Data also show that even among people 65 and older in harder hit communities like East L.A., there are lower vaccination rates. According to officials, this walk-up site will be able to vaccinate up to 2,000 people per week and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
"We'll be looking to make sure that people have their verification to show proof of where they reside in some way," Solis said.
Anyone who would like to make an appointment can call 323-541-1411.
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