SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- San Diego’s COVID-19 vaccine “super station” opened Monday morning for pre-registered health care workers in the “Tier 1A” group.
Petco Park may be closed, but the San Diego Padres are busy at work.
"We immediately saw this as an opportunity to help our community and our region move forward past this pandemic," said Padres President Erik Greupner.
The Tailgate Lot outside of Petco Park was transformed into the region's first COVID-19 vaccine super station. Health care workers are encouraged to contact their providers to request the vaccine first. If none are available, eligible healthcare workers who pre-register at vaccinationsuperstationsd.com will have access to the Moderna vaccine at the super station.
UC San Diego Health professionals are giving 2,500 doses on Monday, and they will eventually work up to giving 5,000 shots a day.
"I really encourage those health care workers in Tier 1A to come here and get vaccinated," UC San Diego Health CEO Patty Maysent said.
Health care workers will first arrive at the registration booth to provide documentation proving they are eligible. They will then go to one of 36 drive-up tents, get a shot, and be under mandatory observation for at least 15 minutes. Those who are pre-registered but arrive on foot will be directed to a walk-up tent.
Once a person comes for their first shot, they will automatically be scheduled for their second dose, which will happen in 28 days.
The super station was just an idea five days ago. But immediately, key players stepped up to the plate. Padres agreed to provide the site free of charge, UC San Diego Health would come with the medical manpower, the City of San Diego will provide security and logistics, and the County would foot the bill.
"The County of San Diego is going to step up and write a check and pay for it," said Nathan Fletcher, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors. "We have yet to receive any vaccine-related federal or state funding. We hope it's on the way."
Fletcher said they could not risk losing any more lives while waiting for the green light from the state or federal government.
"The message is simple, Washington. We need additional economic relief," San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said.
The county said so far, they are only accepting pre-registered healthcare workers that are in the Tier 1A group, but they will eventually expand to other tiers.
San Diego County Chief Nursing Supervisor Denise Foster said, “There’s a large number of health care workers that aren’t working in hospitals, such as physical therapy, rehab therapy, and dental offices.”
Among the group is Sarah Peterson, who doesn’t work at a hospital.
“I work with kids who have major depressive disorders and I’m hands on with patients. And I have kids at home as well, so it’s really important,” Peterson said.
And there are others like Scott Everroad, who works in the medical field but can’t get the vaccine from their employer or their own insurance company.
He said, “I’m a Kaiser member and Kaiser isn’t offering it to their memberships yet. Kaiser is giving it to their health care workers. But I don’t work for Kaiser so I’m having to do it through other channels.”
In the near future, they are planning to open another vaccine super station in the South Bay, the region's most affected area.