Photo courtesy Lance McCord
On January 13, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that COVID-19 vaccinations would begin for Californians ages 65 and older.
LA County specifically has not yet begun vaccinations for seniors, as it is still in Phase 1A, which is relegated to health care workers. Nevertheless, the next wave of vaccinations, Phase 1B, will likely begin in early February and also includes teachers, incarcerated people, emergency service workers, and a plethora of other groups working in job sectors with high coronavirus exposure risk along with seniors.
Verdugo Hills Hospital will begin vaccinating LCUSD staff within the next few weeks. Staff will be sent a link to register for vaccination appointments.
Vaccines are administered free of charge and require two doses within 21-28 days of each other, depending on whether the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine is used. President-elect Joe Biden’s proposal to release the entire vaccine supply instead of reserving second doses may lengthen the time between doses.
Common side effects from the vaccine include soreness at the injection site, fatigue, headaches, a fever, and chills. These side effects only last for a few days.
Those who have had COVID-19 should still get vaccinated, as the length of immunity from contracting the disease is unknown.
