Disneyland Will Be Transformed Into A Massive COVID-19 Vaccination Site

The vacant theme park finds new purpose amid the pandemic.

After prolonged closure, California’s “Happiest Place on Earth” is set to serve as a mass COVID-19 vaccination site, officials announced on Tuesday. While visitors may not get to ride on the Big Thunder Mountain, thousands will be able to ride into the resort for a shot each day.

“It’s important to vaccinate as many willing people as possible for COVID-19, and we need the space to do it,” said Orange County Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. “I thank Disneyland Resort and the City of Anaheim for stepping up in the shared effort to give OC residents protection against the virus.”

This will be the first of five regional “Point-of-Dispensing (POD)” sites in Orange County and is expected to be up and running by the end of this week. As part of the California Department of Public Health’s phased distribution approach, vaccines are currently only available to those eligible for the “Phase 1A, all tiers” stage within the county. That includes law enforcement first responders in high-risk communities and recently expanded to include those aged 75 and older.

Those who meet the criteria will be contacted by employers and receive further instructions on scheduling an appointment through the third-party app developed in tandem with Orange County.

Details on the rest of the sites opening up across the county will be announced as soon as arrangements are finalized.

Similarly, here in NYC, the Mets’ home Citi Field will become a ‘mega’ 24/7 vaccination center.