LOS ANGELES — One by one, patients sat down at a CVS in Eagle Rock to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, a new recipe the CDC says is designed to protect against the latest COVID-19 variants this fall and winter.

“This is my sixth vaccination, so I just want to keep up to date with it,” said John Vuich.

He was among the first group to vaccinated. Eager to get it done, he made an appointment online at 3 a.m.

“I know enough people who have gotten sick and actually died, so I just think it’s ridiculous to not get the shot,” Vuich said.

Sandra Luna walked in with a friend who was picking up a prescription and minutes later got the shot.

“I work in a supermarket, and I don’t like to get sick and make my family sick,” Luna said.

“It’s encouraging to see our patients are already lining up and signing up for the vaccine. It’s very crucial to protect our community and we’re expecting our appointments to be filling in as we get the supply in all our locations,” said Harut Urfalyan, a CVS pharmacist.

The vaccines are officially rolling out at CVS and Walgreens early next week, but appointments are available now. Both pharmacy chains say some stores are already administering the vaccine as shipments arrive.

“We have the vaccine for patients 5 years old to 11 years old, and 12 years and older. Our Minute Clinic locations with CVS are able to vaccinate patients 18 months and older,” Urfalyan said.

CVS suggests regularly checking online or on its app for appointments as more stores get the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming days.

“They update as our vaccines come in on a day-to-day basis,” Urfalyan said. “Just in case there are no available appointments right now doesn’t mean there won’t be.”

According to a survey cited by the CDC, approximately 42% of respondents said they would definitely or probably get the new vaccine, yet only about 20% of adults got an updated booster when it was offered a year ago.

“This season, it’s very crucial for all patients to get vaccinated to protect the community to protect our high-risk patients. We have viruses such as influenza, COVID-19 and RSV,” Urfalyan said.

Doctors hope enough people get vaccinated to avert last year’s “tripledemic” that overwhelmed hospitals.