County Planning for Dramatic Increase in COVID-19 Vaccinations

After crossing the 3 million milestone, Los Angeles County is planning on a dramatic increase in COVID-19 vaccines.

Currently, the county currently has the capability of administering about 630,000 doses per week, but due to limited supply, only about 300,000 to 350,000 doses are being administered per week.

Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the county health department, said Friday that given the progress already being made in vaccinations, if supplies dramatically increase by late April or early May — as predicted by President Biden — the county could move rather quickly through the rest of the population.

“To ensure we are prepared for this increase, we have begun planning with our vaccine provider network to expand countywide vaccination capacity to more than 1 million doses per week,” Simon said. “Recently, President Biden made the announcement of opening up vaccinations to everyone over the age of 16 by May 1. We look forward (to working) with the state to meet this goal.”

Next week, the county will only be receiving about 280,000 doses, although that number will be augmented by supplies sent directly to some providers, such as the federally operated site at Cal State Los Angeles.

But he also warned “we are entering a perilous time,” despite the progress in vaccinations.

“In Europe and some regions of the U.S. there has been a recent resurgence in cases and hospitalizations,” Simon said. “In addition, spread of virus variants remains a major concern. For this reason, it is imperative that we remain disciplined in our adherence to the use of face masks, physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings and delaying any non-essential travel.”

According to Simon, as of Wednesday, 3,234,989 total doses of the vaccine were administered in the county, although he conceded that due to reporting delays the number is likely much higher.

Of those doses, 2,177,195 were first doses — including 25,170 of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine — and 1,057,794 were second doses. That means roughly 1,080,000 people who live or work in the county have been fully vaccinated.

Simon said if vaccinations continue at the current pace, by the time supplies increase in late April or early May the county will be deep into the inoculation effort. If the county begins receiving up to 1 million doses per week — with a good amount of it the one-dose Johnson & Johnson medication — “we could then work through the general adult population pretty quickly, within a month or two.”

On Friday, the county adjusted its coronavirus reopening guidelines to allow breweries, distilleries and wineries to reopen for indoor service if food is provided. The county had previously permitted outdoor service with no food provided.

Under the new guidance, “Wineries, Breweries and Craft Distilleries … may operate indoors at 25% of maximum indoor capacity, only if the establishment sells alcohol in the same transaction as a bona fide meal,” according to the county health department.