Anaheim, which launched the first large COVID-19 vaccination site in Orange County in January, is adding a second site at the Anaheim Convention Center.
The Super POD at Anaheim Convention Center is set to begin offering vaccinations on Feb. 24, in partnership with the county of Orange.
The site adds to the vaccinations currently being done at the Anaheim Super POD at Disneyland Resort, which has done 150,000 shots and counting since opening on Jan. 13. The Super POD at Disneyland Resort, which runs from the Toy Story Parking Area, will continue to operate alongside the convention center.
“Anaheim has led the way in Orange County with vaccinations, with one of the first super sites in California at Disneyland Resort and now with a second site at the Anaheim Convention Center,” Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “These two sites will provide more options for Anaheim residents to get vaccinated where they live, while also serving people from across Orange County. Vaccines given in Anaheim will help save lives and allow us to get our theme parks, convention center and sports venues opened when the time is right.”
The addition of the Anaheim Convention Center as a second site in our city provides flexibility in administering first and second shots and in types of vaccines. It will add capacity as more people are coming due for second shots as part or their two-dose vaccines.
Vaccines will be done at the Anaheim Convention Center using part of the Anaheim Arena, a 7,500-seat arena for events and sports, and part of Hall A, a large exhibit hall that usually hosts conventions and other events.
Along with other major venues in Anaheim, the convention center has been closed for events since March 2020. The convention center has hosted Orange County's largest COVID-19 testing site since July. Testing will continue on the southwest side of the Anaheim Convention Center with vaccinations taking place on the northeast side.
The large event spaces of the Anaheim Convention Center provide ample room for vaccinations with social distancing and will be able to operate without disruptions from weather.
The Anaheim Convention Center will start by offering second doses for those who have already received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine.
Anyone who recently received their first Moderna dose at the Super POD at Disneyland Resort will now receive their second dose at the Anaheim Convention Center. Second dose appointments will be as previously scheduled, with only a location change to the convention center, which is about a block away from the Super POD at Disneyland Resort.
After Feb. 24, the Super POD at Disneyland Resort will focus on administering first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, while the Anaheim Convention Center site will focus on administering Moderna, both first and second doses.
Both Moderna and Pfizer have effective rates of about 95 percent after the second doses.
Vaccines at both sites are by appointment only. For both sites, arrive no earlier than 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
Only those currently eligible in what's known as Phase 1A can be vaccinated right now. Those eligible are healthcare workers, first responders and those 65 and older.
Those ineligible and those without appointments will be turned away to ensure supply for those who can be vaccinated right now.
We expect to see eligibility expand in coming weeks and months.
For more, please see Anaheim.net/vaccines.