Mobile clinics have tripled the number of vaccinations they have been administering to 12,000 per week. (photo courtesy of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that city vaccination sites have been expanded to accommodate new workers who are now eligible, including education, child care, food and agriculture, and law enforcement employees.

The transition to expanded eligibility occurred while doses remain limited. City sites will primarily provide second doses this week, and will offer a small number of first dose appointments. The city’s online portal has been updated to allow those with new eligibility to make first dose appointments. 

“Our vaccination program has weathered many challenges, but we have made it clear that nothing will interfere with our mission to deliver this life saving vaccine to Angelenos as quickly and as safely as possible,” Garcetti said. “Opening eligibility to more groups of essential workers will save more lives and accelerate our recovery. We are encouraged to hear commitments for more vaccines coming from our federal and state partners, and stand ready to scale up our operations so we can end this pandemic.”

The city’s capacity remains higher than the supply of vaccines it is receiving. Even with delayed deliveries in late February, the city administered over 90,000 doses during a single week — the highest number administered to date but only 68% of the program’s total capacity. Providing an average of 18,080 doses each day, the city was able to make up for postponed appointments from the previous week and remained on schedule to deliver second doses that were due for patients. If the city receives additional doses this week, more first dose appointments will become available.

The city’s mobile program has also tripled its total capacity, increasing doses administered to vulnerable communities from 4,000 to 12,000 per week. Additionally, the city has begun the planning process to integrate the recently FDA-authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine into its inventory in the coming weeks, preparing to administer doses once the state and county provide them.

For information, visit coronavirus.lacity.org/vaccines.