Disneyland has remained closed since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States in March, and the company has furloughed tens of thousands of employees. Now, the theme park will become the first mass vaccination site in Orange County, California, as the state faces death toll from COVID-19.
Government officials announced Monday afternoon that Disneyland will be the county’s first “Super Point-of-Dispensing” (POD) site when it begins operations later this week.
“Disneyland Resort, the largest employer in the heart of Orange County, has stepped up to host the county’s first Super POD site: it has done a monumental job in our vaccine distribution process,” he said. say Andrew Do, Orange County supervisor, representing the first District, said in a statement.
The county plans to open more Super POD sites soon, with five regional sites with the capacity to vaccinate thousands of people daily, which will make the vaccination process much more efficient.
“The coronavirus has caused a public health crisis and economic devastation,” Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “With this super site, we will begin to overcome both. All vaccines made in Anaheim will help save lives and accelerate the reopening and recovery of our city.”
Echoing the process in much of the United States, vaccines in Orange County are distributed through a gradual, phased approach, with law enforcement and first aid among the first to be vaccinated. Now, residents over the age of 75 can also get the vaccine.
Those who meet the criteria must schedule an appointment at a Super POD site to get vaccinated, officials said.
Orange County has a population of about 3.1 million people. According to county data, more than 190,000 residents have tested positive for coronavirus since the pandemic began.
“Disneyland Resort is proud to help support Orange County and the city of Anaheim with the use of our property and we appreciate all your efforts to combat COVID-19,” said Dr. Pamela Hymel, medical director of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, told CBS News. “After a year in which so many in our community have faced unprecedented difficulties and uncertainties, there are now reasons for optimism with the administration of a vaccine.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that the state would intensify its coronavirus vaccination efforts this week, also opening mass vaccination sites at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Petco Park in San Diego and Cal Expo in Sacramento. The state reported a record number of deaths from COVID-19 over the weekend.
Newsom said the state’s goal was to vaccinate 1 million more people over the weekend.