LOS ANGELES (CNS) - In an effort to encourage Los Angeles' Latino residents to get inoculated, Mayor Eric Garcetti today launched a bilingual vaccination campaign featuring Angelica Maria, Danny Trejo, Pepe Aguilar, Angela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar.
The campaign comes as Latino residents in Los Angeles County continue to have one of the lowest vaccination rates. According to L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer last Thursday, only 40% of eligible Latinos have been vaccinated. However, the percentage of Latino residents being vaccinated has improved significantly since February, with a 593% rise in vaccination rates among Latino residents aged 16 and up.
“The goal of this campaign is simple: to get our hard-hit Latino community vaccinated -- and help our city and country defeat this pandemic once and for all,” Garcetti said Thursday.
The 30-second Spanish language public service announcement “Vacunate Ya, Los Angeles” will air starting this week on Telemundo 52 Los Angeles/KVEA, Univision Los Angeles KMEX Channel 34 and EstrellaTV's Los Angeles station KRCA- 62. The English language PSA “Get Vaccinated, L.A.” will air next week on FOX's KTTV and KCOP.
The videos were directed by HTV Studio's Juan Carlos Aguirre and made in collaboration with the Staples Center and the marketing agency Primetime Sports. The team selected the featured artists -- who will highlight the importance of getting vaccinated -- to appeal to a large range of audiences,
Garcetti's office said. The PSAs will also give information about where people can get vaccinated.
“Equity has always stood at the center of our vaccination efforts, and with this PSA, we are making sure every Angeleno, regardless of ZIP code, knows that these vaccines are safe, effective, free, accessible -- and the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
On Monday, Los Angeles began offering appointment-free vaccinations at all of its drive-through locations: Crenshaw Christian, Hansen Dam and Dodger Stadium, which are open Monday through Saturday. Pre-registration is not required, but Angelenos who wish to plan ahead can go to coronavirus.lacity.org/GetVaccinated to sign up or find the locations nearest to them.
The city also now operates its mass vaccination sites at Pierce College and L.A. Southwest College from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A third night mobile clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Green Meadows Recreation Center in South Los Angeles to provide a late-hour option for working people.
The city's 10 Mobile Outreach for Vaccine Equity (MOVE) teams this week are deployed to residents in Glassell Park, Arleta, Sylmar, Chesterfield Square, Green Meadows, Boyle Heights, North Hollywood, San Pedro, Wilmington and Canoga Park.