Frederick K.C. Price, one of Los Angeles' most prominent religious leaders and founder of the Crenshaw Christian Center, has died from COVID-19 at the age of 89.
Vaccine crisis: Shortage leads to closed sites, postponed appointments in LA
KABC
LOS ANGELES (KABC) Los Angeles County health officials are encouraged as the number of coronavirus cases continues to trend downward, but concern persists about the shortage of vaccines, which has prompted the two-day closure of five city-run sites.
On Wednesday, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city will have exhausted its supply of Moderna first doses - two are required for full immunization - forcing it to close vaccination sites Friday and Saturday at Dodger Stadium, San Fernando Park, Hansen Dam, Lincoln Park and the Crenshaw Christian Center.
Officials across Southern California are opening more sites to administer coronavirus vaccine. But there are concerns that the shortage in vaccine doses could worsen before it gets better.
Authorities have said the biggest problem right now is getting enough vaccine to meet demand. At current rates, it could be June before Californians 65 and over are fully vaccinated. And full vaccination in places like L.A. County might not be possible until 2022.
Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the county Department of Public Health, said Friday that if weekly vaccine shipments were to increase to 500,000 doses, the county could potentially immunize 75% of its adult population by midsummer.
Patricia Reber walked out of the vaccine clinic at L.A.’s Lincoln Park pumping her arms overhead like a champion. A friend told the 80-year-old she had waited four hours for a shot at Dodger Stadium, but Reber was in and out within 30 minutes.
“This was wonderful,” Reber said from beneath a Kobe Bryant face mask. “I think they’ve done the best they can with the lack of federal help.”
But in the chaotic rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, the triumphs were matched by heartbreaking disappointments and confusion as older residents struggled with appointment websites that crashed because of huge demand while workers waited for official information that never came.