COMMERCE, Calif. — A new statewide initiative that allocates 40% of the COVID-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable neighborhoods aims to protect those most at risk while moving toward reopening the state's economy more quickly.

It's welcome news for Dr. Norma Perez, who spent the last year witnessing the pandemic's devastating toll on patients through her work at the AltaMed Health Services clinic in East Los Angeles. 

What You Need To Know

  • A state initiative allocates 40% of the COVID-19 vaccine to the most vulnerable neighborhoods, many of which are located in L.A. County and the Central Valley

  • The doses will be spread out among 400 zip codes, with 8 million people eligible for shots

  • The state has already administered 1.6 million doses in vulnerable areas and plans to meet the 2 million mark in one to two weeks

  • Vulnerable neighborhoods are determined based on metrics including household income, housing status, education level, and access to transportation

"We are hearing stories where both grandmother and grandfather passed away or parents have passed away," Perez said.

She said many who live in low-income, underserved areas are essential workers who don't have the option of staying at home and face a greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

"We [saw] the positivity rates up in the 40% at the height of the latest surge," she said. "We're right now at about 8.2%, which is still higher than what we are seeing in Los Angeles County overall."

Perez said AltaMed clinics in L.A. County only received vaccine doses last week, much later than mass vaccination sites. Those who live in the hardest-hit areas, like East L.A., often face technology challenges and have trouble booking appointments on the internet or don't have transportation to the large sites. She said local community health clinics are essential to providing the vaccine.  

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Under the new state guidelines, the doses will be spread out among 400 zip codes, with 8 million people eligible for shots. Already 1.6 million doses have been given out to people. Once the state reaches 4 million doses in the impacted neighborhoods, it will update the metrics for getting into the less restrictive orange and yellow tiers.

Many of the vulnerable neighborhoods are located in L.A. County and Central Valley. The allocations are based on household income, housing status, education level, and access to transportation.