After five months of successfully administering tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to Lancaster residents, the City of Lancaster closed its two mass-vaccination sites at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds on July 23. Lancaster residents are still able to get vaccinations at other local distribution sites or through healthcare providers.
While the site has closed, Lancaster is shifting efforts into phase 2 of vaccination, focusing on smaller, more accessible clinics within the neighborhoods.
“Closing our mass-vaccination sites marks an important and long-awaited milestone for our community,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Over 50 percent of Lancaster residents have been vaccinated, which allows us to move away from the immediate need for mass-vaccination and focus on a grassroots effort within the neighborhoods. We could not have reached this achievement without the assistance and support of all of our partners, as well as the medical staff and volunteers who helped run the vaccination sites.”
Having access to the COVID-19 vaccines and being able to operate the mass vaccination sites have resulted in saving countless lives and helped the community return to normal. Lancaster officials expressed gratitude to all of its supporters, partners, and volunteers who helped Lancaster reach an important step in overcoming the pandemic.
City officials remind residents that the pandemic is not yet over. Though the mass-vaccination sites have closed, COVID-19 variants and breakthrough infections mean it is still important to continue practices such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and getting vaccinated.
Unvaccinated Lancaster residents can still receive one of the free and safe vaccines, regardless of immigration or healthcare status. COVID-19 vaccines are available to all residents 12 years of age or older and are readily available through healthcare providers, pharmacies, and other local community sites. Visit MyTurn.CA.gov for more information or to find a local vaccine appointment.
