Blue Shield of California has been been tapped by the state to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
The health insurance company will oversee the distribution of vaccine doses to counties, pharmacies and private healthcare providers.
The agreement with the state follows criticism over inconsistency and slowness across state regions.
A state health official says the contract is expected to be finalized soon, and that the transition in oversight will take several weeks.
LA leaders push for COVID-19 vaccine access for those hardest hit by the pandemic -- people of color and residents of low-income communities.
LA City Council President Nury Martinez insists "equitable distribution is critical" to the success of the vaccines.
She wrote in a tweet: "Communities of color are being devastated by COVID...[and] residents should be able to receive their vaccinations directly in their neighborhoods."
LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer says there are plans to open more vaccination sites soon in hard hit areas, including South and East LA.
The state and county have opened up vaccinations to all seniors, although appointments for shots are hard to come by.
Councilmembers are asking staff to identify city facilities in high-risk areas that could be used as vaccination sites and to work with county officials to come up with an equitable distribution plan.
