INGLEWOOD (CNS) - L.A. Unified today announced a collaboration with the Los Angeles Rams, Hollywood Park and the City of Inglewood to operate a large-scale vaccination site on the grounds of SoFi Stadium that could serve teachers and school staff in L.A. County.
In an announcement Wednesday morning, the district said it plans to work closely with the county on this program and seek approval to begin operating “as soon as possible.”
The site would have the capacity to vaccinate up to 10,000 people a day, the LAUSD said.
On Monday, the LAUSD and its partners, including Anthem Blue Cross and Cedars-Sinai, sent a letter to County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer and L.A. County Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo seeking authorization to operate the site.
“Returning students, teachers and staff to campus in the safest way possible is essential to the well-being of our entire community,” said Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner. “... A dedicated vaccination site and comprehensive effort for the education community would allow schools to re-open sooner and in a more coordinated manner.”
Said Rams COO Kevin Demoff: “In speaking with Superintendent Beutner and Inglewood Mayor (James T.) Butts about how we can best support our community during this time, it became clear that assisting schools to reopen safely would have wide-ranging impacts for all Angelenos.”
Butts has committed to seek the support of the County Board of Supervisors for this effort to protect school staff and bring the children of Inglewood and Los Angeles County back to the classroom.
Under the plan, 600 LAUSD school nurses and other licensed healthcare professionals would administer the vaccine. In addition, Anthem would provide volunteer clinical personnel to supplement LAUSD staff. Cedars-Sinai is already providing training to support this vaccination effort.