States open coronavirus vaccine “megasites” in stadiums, amusement parks

States open coronavirus vaccine “megasites” in stadiums, amusement parks

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The states of the United States are opening stadiums, fairs, convention centers and other large venues as “megasites” of the COVID-19 vaccine, while increasing the distribution of vaccines.

Driving the news: Many states are moving into the next phase of the largest vaccination campaign in history, making vaccines available to new groups, including the elderly, teachers, first responders and other essential professionals.

  • State and local health departments have their own systems for determining who gets the vaccine during each phase.

The big picture: Phase two comes after a slow start to the vaccine launch in the United States, which started last month. The first doses were aimed mainly at health professionals and residents and nursing home staff. They will still need to receive the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines.

  • Nearly 9 million people – 2.7% of the United States’ population – received the first dose of the vaccine on Monday morning, according to the CDC. More than 25.4 million doses have been distributed.

Many states have started opening new vaccine distribution sites, including some that will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Arizona, which has the highest COVID-19 diagnostic rate in the U.S., is opening a 24/7 distribution location at State Farm Stadium, home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, in the Phoenix suburb, by AP.
  • California is opening several distribution centers, including the transformation of the testing site at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles into a vaccine distribution facility. Health officials will also open a “super vaccination post” in the parking lot of a stadium in San Diego.
  • Florida is using the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens as a vaccination site.
  • Kentucky is using its fairgrounds in Louisville for its drive-thru vaccination campaign.
  • Michigan is transforming Detroit’s TCF Convention Center into a vaccine distribution site.
  • New York opened several 24/7 distribution facilities across the state to dispense doses.
  • New Jersey is using malls and its Philadelphia convention center as vaccine megasites.
  • Texas is using the Dallas County fairgrounds and Minute Maid Park in Houston for its vaccination efforts.
People arrive to receive the Modern COVID-19 vaccine at a drive-thru location at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Paul Hennessy / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Two volunteers speak in the vaccination area inside the Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky State Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo: Jon Cherry / Getty Images
Health professionals administer the COVID-19 vaccination to people at a drive-thru location at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
A man receives the COVID-19 vaccine at the Santa Clara County fairground in San Jose, California. Photo: Randy Vazquez / Bay Area News Group / Pool / Agência Anadolu via Getty Images
People arrive to line up for the COVID-19 vaccines at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York. Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
New Jersey opened a megasite at an old Sears store at Townsquare Mall in Rockaway. Photo: Kena Betancur / AFP via Getty Images

Go deeper: Biden will release almost all available doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the public

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