COVID-19 vaccination 'mega site' to open at Fresno Fairgrounds, health officials say

Health professionals could be able to give up to 2,000 vaccines each day at the site.

ByJason Oliveira and ABC30.Com Staff KFSN logo
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
COVID-19 vaccination 'mega site' to open at Fresno Fairgrounds
It's all part of the governor's plan to speed up the vaccination process as quickly as possible.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno Fairgrounds is now the first "Super" COVID-19 vaccination site in the county.

Health officials made the announcement today to help speed up administering the shots.

These types of mass vaccination sites have opened or will soon open in other parts of the state, including Dodger Stadium in Los Angles and Disneyland in Orange County.

It's all part of the governor's plan to speed up the vaccination process as quickly as possible.

Fresno County is joining other parts of the state in an effort to expedite vaccinations.

Fresno County is joining other parts of the state in an effort to expedite vaccinations.

"I can boldly say to you today that Fresno County is in the lead of this vaccine rollout. We are not experiencing the types of problems that you've heard about throughout counties around the state of California," said Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau.

As the state deals with record COVID-19 deaths -- the fairgrounds is now open to frontline health care workers to receive the shot.

For a full explanation of California's vaccine phases, click here.

Eligible recipients will enter the parking lot off of Kings Canyon Road and go to the Ag building, where the vaccines are being administered Monday through Saturday.

The county said it aims to vaccinate at least 75% of its residents by the Summer.

"This week, if you're in healthcare, come on down. Next week, if you're in the elderly population, that's when you'll be eligible and we really want to reserve those slots for that population. Then a week after that, we're going to start on our food and ag workers," says Fresno County Interim Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra.

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Fresno County has a population of just under a million people, with data showing nearly 76,000 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began.

The county plans to open more of these super sites soon to help make the vaccination process much more efficient

"By Friday, there will be five locations. Right, now the county is talking to 100 additional providers and as we ramp up and receive more vaccines, we're going to be quick to get that into the hands of the public and those individuals who need it most," Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said.

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