For the next few weeks, clinics in that area run by MLK Community Healthcare will offer free Pfizer vaccines to eligible community members, including health care workers and people over the age of 65.
Those who showed up did not need an appointment, but they did have to prove they live in the surrounding area, including Compton, Crenshaw, Lynwood, Watts, Athens, Florence, Hyde Park, Jefferson, Paramount and Willowbrook.
Officials say those communities, which are largely made up of African Americans and Latinos, are being affected by the virus at a significantly higher rate, yet lag behind in vaccine distribution.
Hardest hit communities in LA County are among the lowest vaccinated so far, data shows
LA County still in short supply of COVID-19 vaccine
Friday's vaccination event was part of an effort to close that gap and reach out to community members.
"We know that there's a very sick patient population. We know that we have a very sick community that really needs the assistance, really needs the help, and at many times are forgotten," said Tarick Jackson with MLK Community Health.
The MLKCH vaccine clinics will be open on select days. Officials say more locations and times will be announced in the coming weeks.
South LA Community Clinic takes steps to improve racial inequities in vaccine distribution
South L.A. Community Clinic takes steps to improve racial inequities in vaccine distribution
California has issued more than 8 million vaccines as of Friday. Gov. Gavin Newsom said supply is still an issue, but the anticipated emergency use authorization of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine would likely give the state a significant boost.
He said California plans to receive more than 380,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson's single-dose vaccine in the coming weeks, and he hopes California's vaccine allocation will continue to increase by the end of March.