It’s no April Fool’s joke! If you’re over 50 year old and have been waiting to get a vaccine, today’s the day appointments open up. And in just two weeks, starting April 15, everyone over the age 16 can get a vaccine. No need to try to fit into a special category, just go online and try to get an appointment. All you will need is your drivers license and your insurance card, if you have one. Also, check your email – you might have an notice from your health care provider with suggestions on where to get an appointment.
Today, the City of LA sent out the following text message: “CITY OF LA ALERT: COVID VACCINE APPTS AVAILABLE FOR AGE 50+ AT https://coronavirus.lacity.org/VaxInfo Eligibility Info/Espanol at https://evb.gg/n#zuttttc44l ”
In addition, today, the Los Angeles Times reported the following handy links:
“On the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s website, scroll down to “3. Look for an appointment.” There’s a list of links to both government-run sites and pharmacy and healthcare provider sites that you can try individually.
MyTurn.ca.gov is the state website for searching for an appointment. Carbon Health manages large point-of-dispensing sites, such as Dodger Stadium. Curative runs appointments at El Camino College. Kaiser Permanente has a centralized site for booking appointments, and you don’t need to be a member to get a vaccine. CVS, Ralphs, Rite Aid and Walgreens all have links to search for appointments. Each Costco and Albertsons location offering appointments has a unique link.”
Personally, I’d recommend going online whenever you have a few minutes to sit at a computer (we’ve heard it’s way easier on a computer than a phone) and see what appointments are open. Through my children and social media, I heard on Sunday that appointments were available for this week. I went online and got an appointment for Tuesday at the Carbon Health site near USC. It couldn’t have been easier or faster. The site is in a parking garage, where you are directed to upper levels for parking. Then you get out of your car and walk downstairs for the vaccine. When I went, there was only one person ahead of me.
Of course, all that may change as many more people try to sign up. But based on what we heard from everyone we spoke to, the vaccine sites are working fairly well across the city. In addition, we have also read about potential oversupply of vaccines, as production ramps up. So if you have waited this long, hang in there and wait a little bit longer – your patience should pay off.
And seriously, on this April Fool Day, please encourage everyone you know to get a vaccine. It’s the only way to put this pandemic behind us.
Happy April No Fool’s Day!
