Irvine will drop COVID-19 vaccine requirements for its seniors’ meal program effective May 11.
The city has required proof of vaccination for those looking to avail of the daily congregate meal program — a group meal that helps senior citizens meet their nutritional requirements — at the Lakeview Senior Center.
Implemented in November 2021, the vaccine requirement is one of the last remaining COVID-related restrictions in Irvine. Even as the city began rollbacks on other pandemic-era restrictions in March 2022, councilmembers still chose to keep the vaccine requirement for the senior center.
Irvine should be “unapologetic” that it was one of the first, and now one of the last, to remove pandemic-era restrictions, said Councilmember Larry Agran. The vaccine requirement, Agran said, helped make the senior center a “safe space.”
Councilmember Tammy Kim said she was “extremely proud we remained as vigilant as we did.”
California lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency on Feb. 28, and Agran said that rendered the city’s vaccine requirement for the senior meal program “unenforceable.”
The congregate meal plan is a statewide program aimed at those at least 60 years old to address their dietary needs as well as social isolation.
The Lakeview Senior Center congregate lunch meal is served from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. with doors opening at 11 a.m. at 20 Lake Rd. Reservations are required and must be made by 10 a.m. 48 hours in advance, either in person at the senior center or by calling 949-724 6916.
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