State, County Officials Determining Who Gets COVID-19 Vaccine Next

Vaccinations of high-risk health workers in L.A. County are in full swing, and officials expect to receive the first shipment of the Moderna vaccine next week.

Once that happens, workers and residents at skilled nursing facilities — along with emergency medical technicians and paramedics — will start getting the shots.

According to Dr. Muntu Davis, a public health officer for the county, the speed at which the vaccine can be administered to the wider public will depend on supplies.

"We expect in January, after the new year starts, that we should get weekly shipments, at least from Pfizer,” he said. “We anticipate it'll probably be the same for Moderna. But it really is the supply that's determining how fast we can get it out to other groups and the general public."

A state advisory panel is also meeting to determine who should be next in line, and to ensure the process is equitable. The current proposal includes teachers and child care providers in the next group, as well as first responders, food service workers, and people ages 75 and older.

The state hopes to get a first vaccine shot to 12.5 million people by the end of February.