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Young People Head To National City Vaccine Clinic On First Day Of Eligibility

Residents in National City wait in line to get vaccinated at the National City Library vaccination site, on April 15, 2021.
Alexandra Rangel
Residents in National City wait in line to get vaccinated at the National City Library vaccination site, on April 15, 2021.

Vaccine eligibility expanded Thursday in California to people 16 years of age and older. So Thursday’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the National City Library was filled with young people wanting to get the vaccine.

A mother we spoke to was waiting in line with her husband and two children. She said National City’s high infection rate was a huge concern for her.

Young People Head To National City Vaccine Clinic On First Day Of Eligibility
Listen to this story by Alexandra Rangel.

“We’re one of the highest hit areas. We wanted to make sure that as soon as we could get it, that we were here,” Karla Nava said.

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Nava’s daughter, 20-year-old Jessica Felix, an engineering student at San Diego State University, said getting the vaccine was important to her to protect her family.

“If my parents didn't have the vaccine, I would feel like I would infect them or something. I wouldn't feel secure coming back home," Felix said.

Only 300 doses were available at Thursday’s clinic.

The Mayor of National City said they were hoping to vaccinate 500 people, but due to the current hold on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, fewer vaccines were available.

Despite the small road bump, the mayor said the city’s goal to have 48,000 people vaccinated by June, which is 75% of their population, is still on track.

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“At the rate we’re going, if we continue at this pace, we are going to exceed that goal,” said Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, the mayor of National City.