Los Angeles is burning through its vaccine supply
As of Thursday, the city of Los Angeles had vaccinated 152,612 people against COVID-19 at five city-run vaccination sites. The problem, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said, is supply. The city needs more vaccines.
Though California has said eligibility may go by age, Garcetti asked for flexibility Thursday so the city can get vaccines into communities where people are disproportionately dying -- specifically communities of color.
"The next group designated to be moved into receiving the vaccines in the coming weeks will be our workers in emergency services, as well as food and education and child care," Garcetti said.
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The city has increased vaccine rollout by 17% since last week, Garcetti said, and its Dodger Stadium site is vaccinating 12,000 people per day. The entire county received 137,000 doses this week and expects 188,000 next week, according to Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer.
"The city has distributed 81% of the doses that we have received," the mayor said. "This number is among the highest in the country, higher than many of our peer cities."
COVID-19 stats continue to improve in the hardest-hit county in America. Hospitalizations were down 3% and cases were down 3.4% from Wednesday, Garcetti said. However, Los Angeles County still reported 273 deaths from the disease on Thursday, crossing 16,000 total.
ABC News' Cammeron Parrish contributed to this report.