California grants dentists an emergency exemption from administering COVID-19 vaccines

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Gavin Newsom says the state is speeding up efforts to get people vaccinated. Soon you may even be able to get the photos from your dentist.

This week begins the second round of health professionals receiving their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Valuable vials of the COVID-19 vaccine are still being rolled out, but not every healthcare provider is rolling up their sleeves.

But Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Health Director, said those precious shots, which she calls liquid gold, are not going to be wasted.

“There have been a few instances where they were given extra doses at the end of the clinic,” she said. ‘But they have managed to find other people in the hospital environment. We urge everyone to do their utmost to draw up a kind of waiting list with the people who are in the right place. ‘

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Ferrer said vaccine distribution continues as planned, even as more patients crowd hospitals.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs has just approved a public health emergency waiver allowing dentists to administer vaccines to individuals 16 and older.

This comes as the first California nurse to receive a COVID-19 vaccination gets her second shot.

“I was a little nervous because of everything I read, as far as I read the studies,” said ICU nurse Helen Cordova who works at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.

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When she got her first dose in mid-December, she said she was fine.

“I felt just like when I got my usual flu shot. The arm hurts for a moment and then it goes away,” she said. “It just shows that the vaccine is working and your body is developing that immunity.”

Her example convinced many of her doubting colleagues.

“That’s always been kind of my goal with all of this – is for people to do their research to make that decision on their own,” said Cordova.

Cordova worked both Christmas and New Year and said the workload is relentless. She urges others to wear masks, stay apart, and learn as much as possible about the vaccine.

“I actually hope that people like me who had absolutely no vaccinations can change that view to yes,” said Cordova.