Two COVID-19 vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization in the U.S. – and states are rolling out plans to administer the doses. The Center For Disease Control and Prevention reports that, as of Tuesday (January 12), more than 9.3 million people have received the initial dose of the two-dose vaccine.
States are beginning to roll out plans to administer the vaccines – and are looking to increase distribution to groups beyond health care workers and nursing home residents to include those 75 years old and up, teachers, first responders and essential workers. Health experts also recommend making people 65 and above, as well as any adult with an underlying health condition that might raise the risk for complications of Covid-19, be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Several states are turning sports stadiums into spacious outdoor venues in an effort to administer the doses to a large number of people.
In California, Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres provided Petco Park’s 280,000 square-foot parking lot. Dodgers Stadium will be used for the vaccine roll out in Los Angeles. Not only that, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will also serve as COVID-19 Vaccine Super Site in Orange County – operations are expected to begin later this week.
Miami’s Marlins Park and Hard Rock Stadiums will also be used for this purpose, while New York will utilize Mets’ Citi Field ballpark. Houston will also use the Astros’ Minute Maid Park to administer vaccines and Arizona will have a 24/7 vaccine administration available at the State Farm Stadium.
Other facilities could soon be available to officially distribute the vaccine – pending approval and getting their protocols up and running – including Walgreen’s, CVS, Rite Aid, and other select pharmacies, Walmart, Kroger, hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, health departments, assisted living facilities, and school gymnasiums.
There are currently two vaccines available – from developers Pfizer and Moderna. Vaccines from each require two doses for each person – the Pfizer vaccine requires that its two shots be given 21 days apart and the Moderna vaccine 28 days in between. Which vaccine brand or type is available will depend on where you live.
A third vaccine could soon be available though – Johnson & Johnson is currently in its late-stage trials, and is on track to produce results by end of the month. If all goes well, their vaccine could receive emergency use authorization by mid-February.
