Site will prioritize vaccinations for older adults
By Chad Winthrop
The former home of the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City will soon be a COVID-19 vaccination center.
This week the the Annenberg Foundation and Wallis Annenberg GenSpace announced a partnership with Mickey Fine Pharmacy to launch a COVID-19 vaccination center as soon as vaccines become available at the Annenberg Foundation headquarters at Century Park. According to the foundation, the vaccines will be administered by Mickey Fine pharmacists and licensed professionals.
Wallis Annenberg, Chairman, President, and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation says the site will prioritize vaccinations for older adults and their needs. There are approximately 570,000 people in the city of Los Angeles ages 70 and older.
“Our seniors have suffered a wrenching toll in this pandemic,” Annenberg said “In many cases, they were the first affected and the hardest hit, and we must act now. We all want this to be a new season of hope and immunity for seniors – here in Los Angeles and across the country. Philanthropy can step in and help address the obstacles that have plagued the vaccine rollout when it comes to our elderly. And we hope to be able to help.”
Older adults who are in need of the vaccination can receive information about when vaccinations will begin and how to register for an appointment at https://vaccine.mickeyfine.com. Ages 70+ will be prioritized. Those who have limited online access or who need assistance with the process and/or transportation can call Mickey Fine Pharmacy at 310-277-6123 and speak to a representative. A phone bank system staffed by volunteers will be put in place should the call volume warrant it.
All appointments will follow County guidelines regarding eligibility and those at highest risk for COVID-19. An appointment will be necessary to receive a vaccination.
“We know that it can be a complicated process to figure out eligibility and how to sign up for a vaccine, especially for the elderly,” said Gina Raphael, Co-owner of Mickey Fine Pharmacy. “Having served the Los Angeles community for almost 60 years, we are committed to providing clear answers and walking people through the process – not only online but over the phone. We will focus on older adults first, and continue until everyone who is eligible for the vaccine gets it.”
In order to serve as many seniors as possible, Mickey Fine will administer vaccinations at the former home of the Annenberg Space for Photography, which saw its final exhibit in March 2020. Since that time, the Foundation has focused its philanthropy on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic for the hardest hit regions of the city. This vaccine center is part of this larger effort.
In addition, the Foundation will soon open the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace in Koreatown, a new community space and effort to reimagine what senior life can look like. It will serve as a community center for all generations – because the elderly have so much to give and teach – and as a neighborhood hub for forging new relationships and social connection to help extend and keep senior life vibrant. GenSpace will emphasize creativity and learning to help keep minds fertile and functioning at every age.
“Older Angelenos need easy and efficient access to the COVID-19 vaccine now,” said Jennifer Wong, PhD, Director of GenSpace. “GenSpace is proud to be a part of this vaccine site, which has age-friendly registration, design, and accommodations. As we await the opening of our brand-new location in Koreatown, there is much work to be done towards our mission of valuing older adults and creating a community space to support health, wellness, connectivity, and lifelong learning. This is a critical part of that work.”
The vaccination center will become operational as soon as vaccines become available. Free parking and accommodations will be available onsite, and all County social distancing guidelines will be implemented.
