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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has partnered with the L.A. County Department of Public Health and Metro Director and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell to open three new public vaccination sites at Metro transit stations located in areas hard hit by COVID-19. They are the first vaccination sites to be installed on the Metro public transit system.
The vaccination sites are scheduled to open on Tuesday, May 11, at the C Line’s (Green) Crenshaw/105 Station in Hawthorne, the Harbor Gateway Transit Center in Gardena, and the A Line’s (Blue) Del Amo Station in Los Angeles. The sites are designed for walk ups and are a short walk from each Metro station.
“I applaud Metro and the L.A. County Department of Public Health in their efforts to get free vaccination sites where they’re most needed,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “We know the communities in these locations have a dire need for access to the COVID-19 vaccine — and getting as many people vaccinated is the best way to end the pandemic.”
Vaccine site operating hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Vaccines are free and appointments can be made by visiting https://www.totaltestingsolutions.com/covid19-vaccine/. However, the site will also accept walk-ups.
Both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available at all locations. Pfizer vaccinations will be available to everyone 16 years and older. Johnson & Johnson vaccinations will be available to everyone 18 years and older. The vaccines are free and no insurance documentation is required.
“I’m proud to be partnering with Metro and the Department of Public Health on this important initiative that helps remove barriers to getting the vaccine for our communities that have suffered the most illness and death during the pandemic” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Over 80 percent of Metro riders are people of color and the median household income for bus riders alone is $18,000. Many of those same riders have relied on Metro services as essential workers to get to work and other critical destinations during the pandemic. By using Metro sites as vaccine centers, we are making vaccinations convenient and free for our residents.”
“Providing access is critical to increasing vaccination rates among those who have been hardest by the pandemic, and these new sites at high-traffic Metro stations promise to make getting vaccinated easier than ever,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We are grateful to Supervisor Mitchell, Metro and our countless community partners for working tirelessly to get individuals in hard hit communities vaccinated and feel certain our work together can bring about an end to the devastation caused by the pandemic.”
Vaccine site locations were selected based on Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom’s list of county zip codes where there is, and has been, high rates of COVID-19 cases and low vaccination rates.
“There is no better example of Metro’s efforts to ensure equity for our customers than by strategically placing Metro-friendly vaccination sites in underserved communities,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Everyone deserves access to vital services — and especially the people who during the pandemic served others and kept our society and economy running.”
“We are proud to have worked swiftly alongside the L.A. County Department of Public Health and Metro to ensure locations are properly staffed, permitted and prepared to offer this incredible opportunity to our Los Angeles communities,” said Lauren Trenkle, CEO and co-founder of Total Testing Solutions. “It is an incredible achievement by all parties involved.”
Metro’s Office of Equity and Race worked cooperatively with county agencies to install the new vaccination sites. Metro is looking to install additional vaccination sites at other Metro station properties.
For additional information on Metro’s Office of Equity and Race, please visit https://lbt-preprod.la-metro-web.net/projects/resources/equity/.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
