IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (KGTV) - Vaccinations south of the border aren't being administered at a reportedly fast enough pace for some local politicians, causing concern over the potential continued devastation to the multi-billion-dollar cross-border economy.
Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina told ABC 10News that Tijuana needs further assistance.
"Our economic vibrancy and vitality in San Diego County depends on having a constructive relationship with Mexico and having that border work for both of us," Dedina said regarding the impact of the vaccine rollout. "If we can't get Mexico vaccinated, it's going to really hinder our efforts to reopen the border and get our economy going."
For the last year, the land border has been closed to non-essential travel. It's scheduled to remain that way through at least the end of March.
As of this Thursday, the Mexican government reported that 23,924 people in the State of Baja California had been vaccinated. As of Wednesday, 526,242 people in San Diego County had been vaccinated.
This week, the Baja's Secretary of Health posted photos of new vaccine shipments arriving in Tijuana.
"Look, we have a multi-billion-dollar cross-border economy with major manufacturing going on and tourism but also just the spending of folks south of the border has a huge impact on San Diego County. A positive impact," said Dedina.
He added that he's been in communication with mayors on both sides of the border this week to see what action can be taken.
"We need to get our San Diego vaccines going and we need to help our neighbors to the south," he added.
ABC 10News reached out to San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher's Office and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's Office for comment and are waiting for replies.
