By Mary O’KEEFE

The County of Los Angeles Public Health has expanded the eligibility for those receiving the COVID-19 vaccination to County residents 65 years of age and older.

This is a decision that was called for by LA County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn, who called for “additional flexibility” in vaccinations.

“Efficient and effective distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to our residents and communities is the most critical hurdle in our ability to recover from this virus,” Barger stated. “While we continue to prioritize the vaccination of healthcare workers who have been on the frontlines caring for our vulnerable residents, we must add flexibility to this process and begin efforts to vaccinate those 65 and older.”

“Governor [Gavin] Newsom has encouraged all counties to open up vaccination appointments to residents 65 and older so that we can protect our residents who are most vulnerable to this virus,” stated Hahn. “LA County needs to follow the state’s lead without further delay.”

Five new sites throughout the County have opened manned with people to administer the vaccines. They include California State University, Northridge, 1811 Nordhoff St. in Northridge, County Office of Education, 12830 Columbia Way in Downey, Six Flags Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia, The Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood and Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. Hopefully these additional sites will help meet demand.

This is an effort to expand the number of vaccinations centers that already include Dodger Stadium and several pharmacies and healthcare clinics.

“The vaccine supply is still extremely limited, and Public Health urges patience as we work urgently with our federal and state partners to expand capacity and supply in the weeks ahead,” according to a Public Health statement.

Many residents who are now eligible will, or have been, contacted by their personal healthcare provider with pertinent information. People can also visit VaccinateLACounty.com to schedule an appointment or call (833) 540-0473 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Hahn addressed the issue of vaccines throughout the country going unused or being destroyed.

“If a provider has unused vaccines at the end of the day and no healthcare workers are available, they can and should use them to vaccinate other people. Under no circumstance should a vaccine dose go to waste,” Hahn said.

She has advocated for a “standby list” where residents 65 and older can be contacted if and when there are leftover doses.

Public Health also addressed the issue by stating the County “does not condone wasting of any precious vaccine doses and has not and is not directing providers to throw away unused doses.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released their “seven-point” plan in dealing with COVID-19 that includes the involvement of the federal government, including using the Defense Production Act, to ramp up production of masks, face shields and other PPE [Personal Protection Equipment] and to deploy FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] to help open and supply staff at additional vaccination centers.