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New effort builds on City’s pilot initiative that administered over 4,000 vaccines in communities of color in its first two weeks
LOS ANGELES –– Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced the launch of the Mobile Outreach for Vaccine Equity (MOVE) program –– an effort to scale up mobile vaccinations in some of the most vulnerable parts of Los Angeles. This groundbreaking step builds on a pilot initiative that’s already administered more than 4,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in South and East L.A.
“Vaccines can be a powerful instrument of equity, and we must act now to tear down any barriers that stand between these life-saving doses and Black, Latino, and low-income Angelenos,” said Mayor Garcetti. “By delivering doses directly into our communities, our City is sending a clear message: as we work to protect people’s health and defeat this pandemic, no one will be left behind.”
During the first pilot week –– between February 2nd and 5th –– the City’s mobile vaccination clinics served over 1,300 people in South L.A., where two-thirds of the doses were administered to African Americans and over 90 percent to people of color.
As part of the first steps of the MOVE initiative, services have expanded to South Park, Green Meadows, and Boyle Heights this week. In the days ahead, teams will head to Chinatown, Vermont Square, and Pico-Union. By the end of March, the City will have deployed a total of ten mobile vaccination teams in the field, with additional sites in East L.A., South L.A., Northeast L.A., the East San Fernando Valley, and elsewhere.
All locations are areas with a high risk profile, as measured by the L.A. County COVID-19 Medical Vulnerability Indicators. Each mobile clinic has the capacity to vaccinate 200 people per day, with the ability to scale up that number as more supplies arrive.
To ensure vaccines are reaching individuals who need them most, MOVE teams will begin enhanced outreach in the coming week, working alongside local community leaders to help people book appointments, secure transportation, and build trust and confidence in the vaccine.
Los Angeles’ communities of color represent the highest number of cases and deaths by COVID-19 in the region. In Los Angeles County, Latinos represent 63% of cases and 52% of deaths –– the largest share in the County, despite representing 48% of the population.
Beyond the MOVE program, the City is working to increase vaccination accessibility to people of all abilities, which is why the Mayor announced the opening of a new express lane at the Dodger Stadium site for customers of Access Services –– the agency that provides transportation for Angelenos with disabilities. The new lane will open on Monday, February 22nd; pending availability of vaccines, beginning Sunday night, eligible Access riders can book their appointment and a round-trip ride by calling (626) 532-1616.
About the City’s Vaccination Program
The City’s mobile vaccination efforts are part of the City’s work to vaccinate Angelenos. Since launching a vaccination program in December, the City has administered over 335,000 vaccines –– 96% of its supply –– across all City sites, including one of the largest in the country at Dodger Stadium. Led by the Los Angeles Fire Department, and in partnership with CORE, Carbon Health, and USC School of Pharmacy, the City operates five large-scale vaccination pods across L.A. at Hansen Dam, San Fernando Park, Lincoln Park, Crenshaw, and Dodger Stadium, in addition to its mobile clinics.