Orange County opens a new COVID-19 vaccine dispensing site at Santa Ana College

Starting today, February 17, 2021, at the direction of Chair Andrew Do and Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, who formed the Testing and Vaccine Ad Hoc Committee of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the County will open a COVID-19 Vaccine POD (Point of Dispensing) site at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana.

“As a continuation of the Board’s Latino Health Equity Initiative, which was started in June 2020, the Board is proud to announce the opening of a COVID-19 Vaccine POD site at Santa Ana College,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Addressing barriers that may impede people’s access to testing and vaccines, especially in low equity communities, is the reason why we came up with the Latino Health Equity Initiative very early in the pandemic. The Santa Ana College site is a tangible example of the County and Board of Supervisors delivering on our focus on equity in vaccine distribution.”

“As Supervisor of the First District, I understand the unique needs of multilingual, multigenerational extended families,” said Supervisor Do. “We appreciate Santa Ana College’s collaboration in providing the location for the County’s POD here in Santa Ana. Santa Ana, together with Anaheim, has the highest infection of COVID-19 in our County. Having a POD location here in the City, which is easily accessible to its residents, is the right thing to do. The Board of Supervisors would like to thank Santa Ana College, our Health Care Agency and the Orange County Fire Authority in assisting us in our health equity efforts.”

This new third POD site will help support the ongoing and consistent distribution of the first doses as inventory is received. The Santa Ana College POD will operate five days a week, Tuesday – Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“The incredible work that has gone into these first few weeks of vaccine distribution is admirable,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “We continue to communicate with residents who are anxious to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and we encourage patience as we work to improve the infrastructure and communication in dispensing our limited supply of vaccine to eligible individuals.”

Since the first and second Super POD sites opened at the Disneyland Resort and Soka University, there have been approximately 37,860 and 21,807 vaccine doses, respectively, distributed to eligible Orange County residents and those working in Orange County. New POD sites and opportunities will open dependent on the supply of COVID-19 vaccines provided to the County. Additional POD sites, including Super POD sites, will open in a phased approach, ensuring access to residents in every area of the County.

“We are honored and grateful to be selected as a POD for Orange County to serve a central area that has been hard hit by this pandemic,” said Rancho Santiago Community College District Chancellor Marvin Martinez. “RSCCD is committed to preventing and limiting the spread of the novel coronavirus as we also continue to offer free testing at both Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. Through this partnership, we are able to provide the same level of commitment with the distribution of vaccinations to our surrounding communities, helping to maintain a safe environment while delivering on our mission of providing quality education.”  

Latino Health Equity Initiative

In alignment with the County’s Latino Health Equity Initiate, launched last June by Supervisor Do and Supervisor Doug Chaffee, the Orange County Health Care Agency has set up vaccine sites near some of the negatively affected zip codes to vaccinate eligible residents in critical need. With assistance from Latino Health Access and other local community health clinics, the County is ensuring communities impacted by the pandemic get direct access to vaccines.

Earlier this month, the CalOptima Board of Directors approved the COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Pilot Program, first introduced by Chair Do and Vice Chairman Chaffee to improve direct access to vaccinations for CalOptima members who live in the hardest-hit communities by the pandemic. In the next few weeks, CalOptima and health networks will engage seniors to get their vaccine through health networks and clinics. CalOptima and HCA will also develop vaccine-related information in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways.

For more information

Vaccinations dispensed at County Super PODs are currently available to Orange County residents and those who work in Orange County who are eligible under Phase 1A, all tiers. Eligible individuals with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site to receive a vaccine. To view a list of those who are eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency website https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/phased-approach-vaccine-distribution.

For questions related to COVID-19, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

Orange County Chairman Andrew Do represents the First District communities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City. One of the first officials in the state to propose a face-covering mandate, Chairman Andrew Do is advocating for science-based COVID-19 policies. In addition to health and safety-based COVID-19 response planning, he has reformed Orange County’s mental health services, expanded access to health care, and led efforts to combat homelessness.

Orange County Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee represents the Fourth District, which includes the cities of Fullerton, La Habra, Brea, Placentia, and portions of Anaheim and Buena Park. In his first term, Vice Chairman Chaffee has combatted homelessness by supporting the creation of and allocating funding to the Buena Park and Placentia Navigation Centers and has spurred economic development by reinvesting $14.5 million to small businesses in the Fourth District.