Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) spent part of this week making high-profile visits in Southern California to continue urging those who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so as the winter holiday season approaches.
On Monday, Nov. 8, the senator was joined by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board President, Kelly Gonez, interim Superintendent Megan K. Riley, county Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer and others at Arleta High School to observe students being vaccinated, including some children ages 5 through 11 receiving their very first dose.
On Wednesday, Padilla stood alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom at VA Medical Center in West Los Angeles, applauding veterans receiving their vaccine or booster shots, and flu shots.
“California has administered more than 55 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, far and away more shots than any other state in the country,” Padilla said.
“We all know that vaccines are key to ending this pandemic…it’s not just the public health experts or medical professionals. [Even] our children know how important these vaccines are for their health and safety, for that of their friends and classmates, and their families and communities.”
Padilla emphasized in his remarks that getting vaccinated was “a significant step toward getting back to normal,” especially with the approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
“If you’re one of few out there who haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, what are you waiting for?” Padilla said. “Sign up, make your appointment. Vaccines are free, they’re safe, and they‘re effective. And if you’re a parent or guardian, it’s time to sign up your kids.
“Together we will get through this pandemic.”