Nearly a dozen sports stadiums around the U.S. are "now being used for vaccine distribution," as federal and state officials "seek to ramp up inoculation efforts," according to Tom Schad of USA TODAY. Nearly 4,000 people "were vaccinated" Saturday at the Astros' Minute Maid Park. A parking lot outside the NFL Cardinals' State Farm Stadium has "become a drive-thru vaccination site that is operating 24/7." The Mets' Citi Field will soon be able to "provide vaccines for between 5,000 and 7,000 residents per day." The Patriots' Gillette Stadium and Padres' Petco Park are among the other stadium areas that are "being turned into vaccination hubs." The Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium has "doubled as a vaccination site." The 49ers and other teams have "offered their stadiums to local officials as potential sites" (USA TODAY, 1/13). The Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium has partnered with Fulton County Board of Health to be a distribution center for the COVID-19 vaccine. Distribution of the vaccine began Monday, Jan. 4 (Mercedes-Benz Stadium).
UNDER DISCUSSION: In Boston, Peter Abraham reports the Red Sox are working with the state of Massachusetts on Fenway Park being a COVID-19 vaccination center. Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy yesterday said that talks have "been underway for several months and an announcement is expected in coming weeks" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/13). A Sharks spokesperson via email said that the team is "'having discussions' with health care providers about the potential use of SAP Center as a vaccine site while the Sharks are not playing in San Jose because of restrictions in the Santa Clara County health order" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/13).
