Orange County to temporarily close Disneyland, Santa Ana College vaccine sites due to shortages, delivery lag

Orange County will temporarily suspend distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine at its Disneyland Super POD site in Anaheim through at least Monday, due to delays in shipments of the Moderna vaccine caused by severe weather patterns nationwide, officials have announced.

A shipment of the Moderna vaccine anticipated to be delivered to the site Feb. 16 did not arrive on time, because of the delivery delays across the country, according to a release issued Thursday. The decision of whether to reopen the Disneyland site will depend on whether more supply is received by Monday.

Delivery delays, in addition to low supplies of the Moderna vaccine observed statewide, could postpone the anticipated Feb. 24 opening of another vaccination site at the Anaheim Convention Center.

“Moderna vaccine inventory is very low,” officials said in a release issued Thursday. “State guidance encourages dispensing all vaccine supplies as quickly as possible and does not allow for maintaining a large inventory in reserve.”

Meanwhile, Orange County sites dispensing the Pfizer vaccine will continue to operate as long as vaccine supplies allow.

Soka University in Aliso Viejo will remain open to provide a second-dose Pfizer vaccine while supplies last. Another vaccination site at Santa Ana College will close temporarily beginning Saturday with its reopening dependent on future Pfizer shipments.

Those who have appointments at the affected sites will receive a notification through Orange County’s Othena.com app with information regarding rescheduled appointments.

Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 guidelines advise the second dose of the COVID-19 should be administered within three weeks of the first dose for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and one month for Moderna. However, guidance allows for second dose administration up to six weeks after the first dose has been received, when necessary.

Orange County vaccination appointments are currently available to individuals classified under the “Phase 1a, all tiers” vaccine distribution group established by the California Department of Public Health, as well as those who work as first responders in high-risk communities or who are 65 years of age or over. Proof of eligibility is required.

Vaccinations are by appointment only. Those with appointments are encouraged to arrive no more than 30 minutes before their appointed time and dress appropriately for the weather. Individuals without an appointment will be turned away.

For questions about Othena or the registration and appointment scheduling process, call (714) 834-2000.

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