Due to a shortage in supplies, downtown San Diego’s COVID-19 vaccination super station will remain closed. To help pick up the slack, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department will be administering vaccines at Balboa Park.
Feb. 17 update: SDFD said late Wednesday that it was canceling all Thursday appointments at the Balboa Municipal Gym due to insufficient supply. Details here.
While the county may be in short supply of vaccinations this week, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has appointments available they want the public to know about.
"COVID-19 vaccines available!" the department shared on their Facebook page.
First responders like firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians have been aiding in administering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients.
SDFD spokesperson Monica Munoz said the department had about 2,000 extra doses available for those 65 and older, with verification, who schedule an appointment for Tuesday through Thursday via their portal. The doses are a surplus from their allotment from the county.
Appointments are available 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SDFD vaccination site located at the Balboa Municipal Gym within Balboa Park (2111 Pan American Plaza) or at the Malcolm X Library at 5148 Market Street (Thursday only).
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As of Tuesday morning, only about 400 of those appointments were booked. Just for these days, the SDFD said they would accept walk-ups. They may extend vaccine offerings to Friday, too, if appointments aren't filled up.
Appointments at other San Diego County locations have been affected by a delayed shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine. Downtown San Diego's vaccination super station was forced to close Sunday through Tuesday due to the shortfall. Other super station locations have enough supply to get them through at least Monday, the county said. It was unclear what led to the shipment delay.
