Downtown San Diego

Downtown San Diego Vaccination Super Station Reopens After Closing Due to Winter Storm

The coronavirus vaccination site at Tailgate Park near Petco Park was shut down Monday as heavy rain and whipping winds pummeled San Diego County

NBCUniversal Media, LLC

While the site itself is run very efficiently, getting there can be a challenge, reports NBC 7’s Artie Ojeda

San Diego County’s coronavirus vaccination super station near the downtown ballpark reopened Wednesday after being shut down for two days due to wild winter weather.

The downtown San Diego site – located at 1235 K St. at the lot at Tailgate Park near Petco Park – reopened at 7 a.m. but already at 5 a.m., there were cars waiting in line to make their way through the drive-up testing area.

The line was controlled by a few traffic officers, but even still, some people with appointments said drivers were cutting into the line at various intersections. Some had to wait up to four hours for their appointment but by the evening the line dwindled significantly and most had virtually no wait.

The downtown vaccination superstation is operated by UC San Diego Health and the county. It features tents lined up in a parking lot. Patients can either drive through or walk up to the site. In all, there are 12 lines that can accommodate about 10 cars each at a time.

Once in the center, it takes about 30 minutes to get through the entire process, including a mandatory 15 minute wait time after receiving a dose of the vaccine to ensure there are no adverse reactions.

As Monday’s heavy storm and whipping winds pummeled the county, officials shut down the site. It remained closed Tuesday so crews could clean up the damaged tents.

County health officials said anyone who had an appointment that was canceled over the past two days closure would be rescheduled. Anyone who had an appointment there Monday should have been rescheduled to Thursday and anyone with a Tuesday appointment should have been rescheduled to Saturday. Despite the setback, the site plans to honor all existing appointments.

NBC 7's Jackie Crea heard from people in line at San Diego County's vaccination site about some of the logistical issues.

The downtown vaccination super station opened on Jan. 11 with a goal to vaccinate 5,000 Phase 1A health care workers daily, though more than two weeks into operations, it has yet to reach that goal but is averaging about 4,300 doses a day, according to local health officials.

The site has since expanded to offer coronavirus vaccinations for all who are eligible under all tiers of Phase 1A, plus people age 65 and older.

According to the county, those in Tier 1 of Phase 1A are:

  • Acute care, psychiatric, and correctional facility hospitals+
  • Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and similar settings for older or medically vulnerable individuals 
    • Include residents in these settings as recommended for Phase 1A by ACIP
  • Paramedics, EMTs, and others providing emergency medical services
  • Dialysis centers
  • Behavioral health residential facilities
  • Vaccinators

Those in Tier 2 of Phase 1A are:

  • Intermediate care, for persons who need non‐continuous nursing supervision, and supportive care
  • Home healthcare and in‐home supportive services
  • Community health workers, including promotoras
  • Public health field staff
  • Primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Centers, correctional facility clinics, and urgent care clinics
  • Behavioral health non-residential or outpatient facilities

Those in Tier 3 of Phase 1A are:

To get vaccinated at the downtown vaccination super station, the county has outlined the process here.

An appointment is required via a UC San Diego Health MyChart account (anyone can sign up and you don’t need to be affiliated with UC San Diego Health to use this site) and when you go to get your vaccine, you must bring a photo ID or documentation that you meet the eligibility requirements.

NBC 7 San Diego
One of the vaccine super stations in San Diego County.
Sandy Huffaker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A volunteer, or “promotora,” distributes pamphlets to people at a charity food drive in San Diego, California, U.S., on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Local health officials are doing everything they can to get shots to day workers, part of a much larger effort to vaccinate San Diego’s Latino population. Photographer: Sandy Huffaker/Bloomberg via Getty Images
San Diego Fire-Rescue
A member of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department injecting a patient with the coronavirus vaccine.
Joe Little, NBC 7
UC San Diego Health set up a mobile vaccination unit outside the Jensen Meat Company in Otay Mesa.
Joe Little, NBC 7
People wait in the shade for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Petco Park Super Station.
NBC 7
Members of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego receive their COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday, March, 4, 2021.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is helping to administer coronavirus vaccines in San Diego County through a site at the Balboa Municipal Gym inside Balboa Park. On Feb. 16 through Feb. 18, the SDFD will offer vaccinations for those age 65 and older, with eligibility verification and by appointment only. The SDFD said it had some extra doses of the vaccine available and wanted to get it to as many eligible San Diegans as possible. On Feb. 18, the vaccinations via the SDFD will happen at the Malcolm X Library on Market Street.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is helping to administer coronavirus vaccines in San Diego County through a site at the Balboa Municipal Gym inside Balboa Park. On Feb. 16 through Feb. 18, the SDFD will offer vaccinations for those age 65 and older, with eligibility verification and by appointment only. The SDFD said it had some extra doses of the vaccine available and wanted to get it to as many eligible San Diegans as possible. On Feb. 18, the vaccinations via the SDFD will happen at the Malcolm X Library on Market Street.
Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Signage for a Covid-19 vaccination site run by UC San Diego Health on the University of California San Diego (UCSD) campus in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. UCSD is staging courses outdoors in open-sided tents and plans to have 12 tents on campus by the end of January. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sandy Huffaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom (back) listens as San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria speaks to members of the media during a press conference at Petco Park, February 8, 2021 in San Diego, California, during a visit to the Petco Park Vaccination Supersite. – The Petco Park Vaccination Supersite, which is hosted in a parking lot next to the ballpark, is a partnership between San Diego County, the San Diego Padres baseball team and UC San Diego Health and has capacity to dole out about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines per day. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sandy Huffaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom (C) bumps elbows with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria after a press conference at Petco Park, February 8, 2021 in San Diego, California, during a visit to the Petco Park Vaccination Supersite. – The Petco Park Vaccination Supersite, which is hosted in a parking lot next to the ballpark, is a partnership between San Diego County, the San Diego Padres baseball team and UC San Diego Health and has capacity to dole out about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines per day. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sandy Huffaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom (back) listens as San Diego County’s Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten speaks to members of the media during a press conference at Petco Park, February 8, 2021 in San Diego, California, during a visit to the Petco Park Vaccination Supersite. – The Petco Park Vaccination Supersite, which is hosted in a parking lot next to the ballpark, is a partnership between San Diego County, the San Diego Padres baseball team and UC San Diego Health and has capacity to dole out about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines per day. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sandy Huffaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom looks on before speaking to members of the media during a press conference at Petco Park, February 8, 2021 in San Diego, California, during a visit to the Petco Park Vaccination Supersite. – The Petco Park Vaccination Supersite, which is hosted in a parking lot next to the ballpark, is a partnership between San Diego County, the San Diego Padres baseball team and UC San Diego Health and has capacity to dole out about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines per day. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Sandy Huffaker/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher after a press conference at Petco Park, February 8, 2021 in San Diego, California, during a visit to the Petco Park Vaccination Supersite. – The Petco Park Vaccination Supersite, which is hosted in a parking lot next to the ballpark, is a partnership between San Diego County, the San Diego Padres baseball team and UC San Diego Health and has capacity to dole out about 5,000 COVID-19 vaccines per day. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SANDY HUFFAKER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire/Facebook
Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire helped vaccinate residents of Borrego Springs on Jan. 30, 2021, who met the coronavirus vaccination eligibility requirements. “There is a need to vaccinate our community’s rural populations,” the agency posted on Facebook. “Our local Fire and EMS agencies in SD County will continue working side-by-side providing vaccinations to our rural communities, in an effort known as Operation Collaboration.”
Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire/Facebook
Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire helped vaccinate residents of Borrego Springs on Jan. 30, 2021, who met the coronavirus vaccination eligibility requirements. “There is a need to vaccinate our community’s rural populations,” the agency posted on Facebook. “Our local Fire and EMS agencies in SD County will continue working side-by-side providing vaccinations to our rural communities, in an effort known as Operation Collaboration.”
NBC 7
The County opened the region’s third Vaccination Super Station on Jan. 31, 2021 at the California State University San Marcos Sports Center.
NBC 7
The County opened the region’s third Vaccination Super Station on Jan. 31, 2021 at the California State University San Marcos Sports Center.
NBC 7
The County opened the region’s third Vaccination Super Station on Jan. 31, 2021 at the California State University San Marcos Sports Center.
NBC 7
The County opened the region’s third Vaccination Super Station on Jan. 31, 2021 at the California State University San Marcos Sports Center.
People in the Phase 1B priority group wait in line to receive doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People wearing protective masks leave after receiving doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People in the Phase 1B priority group wait in a monitoring area after receiving doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
People in the Phase 1B priority group wait in line to receive doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Unused vaccination stations at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Vials of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine at a mass vaccination super site operated by Sharp HealthCare inside a former Sears store in Chula Vista, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. California and other large states are loosening Covid restrictions just as scientists warn that more-contagious variants of the virus are beginning to take hold in the U.S. and the vaccine rollout struggles. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
NBC 7
The downtown vaccination super station during a winter storm on Jan. 25, 2021.
Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 11: Healthcare workers wait to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in the tailgate lot of PETCO Park on January 11, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Getty
Healthcare workers wait in their vehicles at a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site operated by UC San Diego Health near Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
Lakeside Fire Protection District/Facebook
On Jan. 17, 2021, the Lakeside Fire Protection District posted this photo on Facebook showing Lakeside firefighters administering coronavirus vaccinations in the community. The agency said it is working with Santee Fire, San Miguel Fire, and Cal Fire as part of a project called “Operation Collaboration,” described as “an effort to vaccinate residents in longterm care facilities throughout the county.” As of Jan 17, the Lakeside Fire Protection District said the operation had vaccinated nearly 1,000 residents, with more vaccinations planned for the following weeks.
Lakeside Fire Protection District/Facebook
On Jan. 17, 2021, the Lakeside Fire Protection District posted this photo on Facebook showing Lakeside firefighters administering coronavirus vaccinations in the community. The agency said it is working with Santee Fire, San Miguel Fire, and Cal Fire as part of a project called “Operation Collaboration,” described as “an effort to vaccinate residents in longterm care facilities throughout the county.” As of Jan 17, the Lakeside Fire Protection District said the operation had vaccinated nearly 1,000 residents, with more vaccinations planned for the following weeks.
Lakeside Fire Protection District/Facebook
On Jan. 17, 2021, the Lakeside Fire Protection District posted this photo on Facebook showing Lakeside firefighters administering coronavirus vaccinations in the community. The agency said it is working with Santee Fire, San Miguel Fire, and Cal Fire as part of a project called “Operation Collaboration,” described as “an effort to vaccinate residents in longterm care facilities throughout the county.” As of Jan 17, the Lakeside Fire Protection District said the operation had vaccinated nearly 1,000 residents, with more vaccinations planned for the following weeks.
Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 11: Healthcare workers wait to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in the tailgate lot of PETCO Park on January 11, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 11: A healthcare worker prepares to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in the tailgate lot of PETCO Park on January 11, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A healthcare worker uses a portable workstation at a drive-thru Covid-19 vaccination site operated by UC San Diego Health near Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. California, where the latest surge in the virus has filled hospitals and morgues, reported its worst day for fatalities so far. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Healthcare workers use portable workstations at a drive-thru Covid-19 vaccination site operated by UC San Diego Health near Petco Park in San Diego, California, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. California, where the latest surge in the virus has filled hospitals and morgues, reported its worst day for fatalities so far. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
NBC 7
Veterans vaccinated in South Bay San Diego County.
Sharp Healthcare
A San Diego Police Department Sergeant receives the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Sharp Memorial Hospital Vaccination Clinic.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health
Mario Tama/Getty Images
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Long-term care patient Carlos Alegre receives a Band-Aid after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from licensed vocational nurse Virgie Vivar at Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing Facility at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center on December 21, 2020 in Chula Vista, California. 72-year-old Alegre is the first patient to receive the vaccine in San Diego County. Long-term care patients and frontline workers are among those in the CDC’s highest priority group for vaccination. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty Images)
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Long-term care patient Carlos Alegre smiles after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing Facility at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center on December 21, 2020 in Chula Vista, California. 72-year-old Alegre is the first patient to receive the vaccine in San Diego County. Long-term care patients and frontline healthcare workers are among those in the CDC’s highest priority group for vaccination. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty Images)
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Long-term care patient Carlos Alegre receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing Facility at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center on December 21, 2020 in Chula Vista, California. 72-year-old Alegre is the first patient to receive the vaccine in San Diego County. Long-term care patients and frontline healthcare workers are among those in the CDC’s highest priority group for vaccination. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty Images)
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Sharp HealthCare caregivers gather to watch before long-term care patient Carlos Alegre receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing Facility at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center on December 21, 2020 in Chula Vista, California. 72-year-old Alegre is the first patient to receive the vaccine in San Diego County. Long-term care patients and frontline healthcare workers are among those in the CDC’s highest priority group for vaccination. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mario Tama/Getty Images)
CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Respiratory therapist Andrew Hoyt cares for a COVID-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, with the word ‘Merry’ posted on the window a few days before Christmas, on December 21, 2020 in Chula Vista, California. According to state figures, Southern California currently has 0 percent of its ICU (Intensive Care Unit) bed capacity remaining amid a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Rady Children's Hospital
A health care worker at Rady Children’s Hospital stores the Moderna vaccine in a refrigerator. The hospital announced Monday that it received its first batch of Moderna’s vaccine.
NBC 7
Carlos Alegre, a long-term care patient at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, was believed to be the first patient in San Diego County to receive Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 21, 2020.
Brianna Salas was among the first frontline health care workers to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
Anna Cabral was among the first frontline health care workers to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
A team helps distribute the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
Frontline health care workers receive the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
Kaiser Permanente San Diego/Twitter
NBC 7
Brittanee Randle, 27, an emergency room nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital, was the first person in San Diego County, non-military, to receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Getty Images
Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, top left, sodium chloride, syringes and alcohol wipes at Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The first Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered by U.S. hospitals Monday, the initial step in a historic drive to immunize millions of people as deaths surpassed the 300,000 mark. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
An AcuTemp AX56L mobile refrigerator/freezer unit containing doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The first Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered by U.S. hospitals Monday, the initial step in a historic drive to immunize millions of people as deaths surpassed the 300,000 mark. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A member of the U.S. Navy prepares a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The first Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered by U.S. hospitals Monday, the initial step in a historic drive to immunize millions of people as deaths surpassed the 300,000 mark. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. Navy personnel prepares doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The first Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered by U.S. hospitals Monday, the initial step in a historic drive to immunize millions of people as deaths surpassed the 300,000 mark. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A healthcare worker receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Naval Medical Center San Diego in San Diego, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. The first Covid-19 vaccine shots were administered by U.S. hospitals Monday, the initial step in a historic drive to immunize millions of people as deaths surpassed the 300,000 mark. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Getty Images
A healthcare worker gets ready to get the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine shot at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Rachel Marrs (L) gives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine shot to Michelle Gaano a Registered Nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Occupational Health Nurse Maureen Finnegan (L) gives Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine shot to Medical Director of Infectious Diseases, Dr. John Bradley at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Occupational Health Nurse Maureen Finnegan (L) gives Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine shot to Dr. Heather Pierce a Pediatric hospitalist at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is pictured at Rady Children’s Hospital before it’s placed back in the refrigerator in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Pharmacist Manager Ron D’Ulisse opens the refrigerator currently used to store Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Pharmacy Technician Kevin Ros (R) prepares Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine before it is administered to healthcare workers at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Getty Images
Pharmacist Manager Ron D’Ulisse speaks to Occupational Health Nurse Maureen Finnegan before she administers Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine to frontline medical workers at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
Pharmacy Technician Kevin Ros (R) prepares Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine before it is administered to healthcare workers at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, California on December 15, 2020. (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER / AFP) (Photo by ARIANA DREHSLER/AFP via Getty Images)
COVID-19 vaccine at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego
COVID-19 vaccine at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health took a screengrab of the exact moment -- 7:14 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2020 -- when the facility received it's first batch of the coronavirus vaccine.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health received its first order of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
UC San Diego Health
UC San Diego Health was among some of the first facilities in San Diego County to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 15, 2020.
NBC 7
Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego received the coronavirus vaccine on Dec. 14, 2020. The facility was chosen as a storage site for the vaccine because it is equipped with large capacity sub-zero freezers perfect for storing the medicine.
Frontline health care workers receive the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
Amy Markley was among the first frontline health care workers to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech coronavirus vaccine at UC San Diego Health on Dec. 16, 2020.
San Diego County

The downtown vaccination site was the only site impacted by this week’s storm, but the pause came at a time when eligible San Diegans have reported difficulties securing coronavirus vaccination appointments. NBC 7 spoke has spoken with several seniors over the past week who said they simply can’t get an appointment – even after calling for hours and hours, site after site.

Meanwhile, more rain is on the way for San Diego County this week, with a storm in the forecast for Thursday night into Friday. However, county Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said Tuesday the tents at the downtown vaccination super station have been rebuilt in such a way that the site should now be able to stay open through wintry weather.

The coronavirus Vaccination Superstation near Petco Park in downtown San Diego remained closed Tuesday after the wild weather caused damage to the tents. The site is aiming to reopen on Wednesday.

The county also runs a vaccination super station in Chula Vista in San Diego’s South Bay – a community hard-hit by COVID-19.

San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said two more super stations are planned for North County and East County, but the exact locations haven’t been announced. Fletcher said those new vaccination super stations will also aim to administer 5,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine daily.

Seven smaller vaccination sites are open for appointments now too – from El Cajon to Oceanside – and you can find information on those locations and how to set up an appointment here.

Fletcher said those locations could ramp up to 12 sites by as early as next week, and the county continues to work on making the vaccination process more efficient.

The county has said that as more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine become available, immunizations will expand to those who are eligible under the tiers of Phase 1B and eventually, Phase 1C.

The county has also said that health care providers who have extra doses of the coronavirus vaccine can administer their doses at their own pace, which is what some local providers like Scripps Health and UC San Diego Health began doing last week, slowly.

Meanwhile, state health officials are also working to pick up the pace of the vaccine rollout across California. Officials announced Tuesday plans to build a statewide vaccination network that uses third-party administrators to help with distribution – including pharmacies, hospitals, and pop-up sites.

The Vaccination Super Station near Petco Park is rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine, and eeman agrama captured a timelapse of the lines on Jan. 13, 2020.

Earlier Delays at Downtown San Diego Vaccination Super Station

On Jan. 13, just two days after the downtown super station opened, there were some snags.string of allergic reactions linked to a batch of Moderna vaccines administered at the vaccination super station caused delays for those waiting in line to be vaccinated.

Six people experienced reactions during a 15-minute, post-vaccine observation period. Health workers at the site stopped using that batch of vaccines out of an abundance of caution.

On Jan. 17, the California Department of Public Health recommended a pause on distributing that specific batch of COVID-19 vaccinations linked to the allergic reactions in downtown San Diego.

State epidemiologist Erica S. Pan recommended vaccine providers pause the administration of lot 41L20A of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. More than 330,000 doses of the lot were distributed to 287 providers across California and batch was placed under investigation.

One health care worker who experienced an allergic reaction at the Tailgate Park vaccination site said she couldn’t feel her tongue and had neck pain after being given the shot.

“They gave me 50 milliliters of Benadryl and then they started monitoring me even closer,” Diana Cannizzo, a local health care worker, told NBC 7. “In the meantime, somebody else had come in a gurney."

On Jan. 20, California health officials said it was safe to resume using the batch of Moderna coronavirus vaccine that had been halted after being linked to the illnesses. The decision frees up more than 300,000 doses to counties, cities, and hospitals struggling to obtain supplies.

Exit mobile version