Los Angeles County, now in the yellow tier, opens with the least restrictive guidelines. Vaccination numbers continue to grow closer towards immunity for Los Angeles County. Yet, there are still great disparities in vaccination numbers among race, ethnicity and age. Public Health has stated that immunity within Los Angeles County could be achieved by mid-July if certain conditions are met.
As of Monday, May 10, the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health confirmed 4 new deaths and 179 new cases of COVID-19. There were 389 people with symptoms of COVID-19 with 19% hospitalized.
Statistics show disparities in race, ethnicity and age when it comes to vaccinations in L.A. County. Overall, 68% of seniors in L.A. County are fully vaccinated. Among seniors, 62% of Black/African American adults 65 or older have received at least one dose of vaccine, out of Latino/Latinx seniors 64% having received a vaccine, 71% of American Indian/Alaska Native seniors received a vaccine, 76% of Asian seniors received a vaccine and 78% of White seniors having received at least one dose.
The vaccine became available to residents 16 and older in mid-April but vaccinations have slowed among the group. Out of Black residents 16 and older, 38% have been vaccinated, among Latinx residents 42% have been vaccinated, among American Indian/Alaska Native residents 58% have been vaccinated, among White residents 60% have been vaccinated and among Asian residents 68% in this age group have been vaccinated.
This week, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. L.A. County offered the Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15-year-olds once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affirmed the FDA recommendation. All adolescents 12 -17 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get vaccinated.
There are currently 755 sites offering vaccinations including pharmacies, clinics, community sites, and hospitals. Public Health continues to support mobile vaccinations in neighborhoods for residents who have limited ability or time to get to one of the established vaccination sites. This week there were 185 mobile sites scheduled throughout L.A. County. Vaccines can be obtained at eight county-run sites, all the L.A. city run sites, almost all mobile sites and many of the community sites without an appointment. Many sites are open on weekends and have evening hours.
Public Health estimates L.A. County needs vaccination to reach around 80% to achieve community immunity. It’s expected L.A. County will reach this level around mid-to-late July assuming the county continues to at least have 400,000 people vaccinated each week. That would include both first doses that people need as well as their second doses.
“As Memorial Day and school graduation season comes near, I know many of you are planning travel, gatherings and parties to celebrate with the people you love,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Just imagine how much more enjoyable those gatherings will be if you and your loved ones are vaccinated – you’ll really be able to have fun without worrying about spreading COVID-19.”
Ferrer continued, “So, as you’re making plans for food, drink, and decorations, make a plan to get vaccinated, too. Think ahead about how to get the most out of your summer fun by making sure you are fully vaccinated in advance.”
Public Health identified 1,235,797 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,003 deaths. Cases across the Southland: Los Angeles County shows 1,171,463 cases, Long Beach with 53,082 cases and Pasadena with 11,252.
According to race and ethnicity, COVID-19 statistics show: American Indian/Alaska Native with 1,988; Asian with 55,934; Black with 45,715; Hispanic/Latino with 622,474; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander with 4,174; White with 128,369; those of other race and ethnicity with 100,153 and 212,656 under investigation.
Non-compliance and dangerous conditions at businesses and worksites can be reported to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. These tips can be submitted anonymously.
For more information and statistics on COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, please visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/
For more detailed information on COVID-19 vaccination plans in L.A. County and to sign up for a vaccination newsletter, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com
