Vaccination Center Will Feature Age-Friendly Registration and Accommodations for Older Angelenos in Need of Assistance, As Soon as Vaccines Become Available
LOS ANGELES – The Annenberg Foundation and Wallis Annenberg GenSpace will partner 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. The vaccines will be administered by Mickey Fine pharmacists and licensed professionals. 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,” said Wallis Annenberg, Chairman, President, and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation. “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 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.
ABOUT THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION
The Annenberg Foundation is a family foundation focused on addressing the critical issues of our time through innovation, community, compassion, and communications for more than 30 years. Since 1989, it has funded programs in education and youth development; civic and community life; equity and social justice; health and human services; animal services and the environment; and arts, culture and humanities.
ABOUT MICKEY FINE PHARMACY
Founded in 1962, Mickey Fine Pharmacy on Roxbury Drive is the only original pharmacy with old fashioned soda fountain in all of Los Angeles. The Company operates seven stores (with 3 pharmacies) across Beverly Hills & Century City. Mickey Fine has two flagship locations in Century Park. Mickey Fine is owned by husband & wife team Jeff Gross & Gina Raphael.
ABOUT WALLIS ANNENBERG GENSPACE
Wallis Annenberg GenSpace is reimagining aging through community programs, partnerships, and a new national dialogue. Based in LA’s Koreatown – one of the densest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the United States – GenSpace is a green community space for older adults that emphasizes wellness, connection, and lifelong learning. It is fresh and tech-forward, much like the Rem Koolhaas-designed building in which it is located. GenSpace is also a think tank on longevity itself, investigating how to change the outdated conversation that tends to dominate how we think and talk about aging.
GenSpace programming will begin with virtual offerings in the summer of 2021, followed by the building’s official opening post-pandemic.
