First two FEMA mass vaccination sites open in California

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened on Tuesday two mass COVID-19 vaccination sites in California, at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and California State University Los Angeles. The sites are prepared to administer as many as 6,000 vaccine doses a day, aiming to reach underserved communities. “FEMA is proud to partner with the state of California and the Department of Defense in opening the first of these pilot community vaccination sites,” said acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton. He said, “These sites demonstrate how we can provide more opportunities for vaccination to the hardest hit communities and ensure everyone who wants a vaccine can get one.” The Department of Defense is sending troops to help out at additional vaccination sites in Houston, Dallas, and New York City next week. In an effort to provide more outreach opportunities, officials also announced four mobile vaccination clinics, two paired with each of the mass vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles. FEMA said it has deployed more than 1,200 staff members to assist with vaccination efforts so far, with approximately 1,200 from the National Guard and 1,100 active-duty troops also involved.