One week into a groundbreaking, first-in-the-nation initiative to vaccinate some of the most diverse and socioeconomically challenged communities in the country, tens of thousands of Californians have received a COVID-19 vaccination.
Two Community Vaccination Centers, co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of California through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), were constructed in the Bay Area at the Oakland Arena/RingCentral Coliseum as well as in East Los Angeles on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles.
“We’re proud to be in partnership with our local and federal partners to stand up these sites in an effort to push back the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the hardest hit areas of our state,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “Our teams on the ground are focused on providing a high standard of service and care for those receiving their vaccines.”
Opened on Feb. 16, the goal of establishing these joint-run sites is to continue to expand the rate of vaccinations in California in an efficient, effective and equitable manner. Both sites have ramped up to an average of 6,000 vaccinations per day, or roughly 12,000 total.
Registration for vaccine appointments at the Community Vaccination Centers in either Oakland or Los Angeles to eligible members can be secured through the state’s MyTurn scheduling system. Appointments can also be made by calling 1-833-422-4255.
Those with eligible appointments are directed through traffic lanes before entering the vaccination site. There is a mandatory 15- or 30-minute monitoring period once the inoculation is administered. This allows on-site medical staff to monitor for possible allergic reactions or other potential health concerns before exiting the site.
In addition to the Community Vaccination Centers, state and federal partners launched mobile vaccination clinics designed to serve the most vulnerable populations. Rolling into community-based organizations, these clinics administer more than 250 vaccines per mobile unit.
In total, more than 72,000 Californians have been vaccinated at the two Community Vaccination Centers since its inception. The Mobile Vaccination Clinic has accounted for an additional 1,100 vaccinations.
More than 1,700 personnel from state, federal and local partners have been deployed to staff operations in Oakland and Los Angeles as well as the State Operations Center in Sacramento.