With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
A Look At Where Vaccinations Stand In LA County — And the Problem With Line Cutters

Health officials say nearly 11% of people in Los Angeles County over the age of 16 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. But far fewer are fully vaccinated at this point — only about 2.6% of the county's population have gotten both shots.
That all adds up to a little over one million doses administered so far. Even though the county received a shipment of nearly 185,000 doses this week — one of its largest allotments from the federal government to date — nearly all vaccination appointments next week will be for people eligible for their second shot.

But officials are concerned that some people are taking advantage of a loophole in the appointment system to cut in line. Dr. Paul Simon is the chief science officer for the L.A. County Public Health Department. He says people who get their first shot at a county site will get an email to reserve a spot for their second dose - but some people are sharing that link with others, who turn around and try to use it to book an appointment for themselves.
"In some cases, it was done very deliberately. I think you could characterize it as cheating, and in other cases I think people just weren't necessarily viewing it that way - they were just looking at every opportunity to get vaccinated."
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
-
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.
-
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.