UC San Diego’s RIMAC arena vaccination superstation has delivered its last dose. The superstation closed its doors on Tuesday.
UC San Diego sponsored the first large vaccination venue in San Diego with a drive-up site at Petco Park that opened in January. Vaccinations were moved to the RIMAC arena when the Padres baseball season began at Petco.
In addition to the RIMAC arena closure, other large superstation sites that are sponsored by Sharp and Scripps Health networks are expected to close in the next several weeks. This follows a sharp decrease in vaccination appointments at those locations.
The county said 69% of San Diegans 12 and older have had at least one shot and the demand for vaccinations has decreased. But the number of unvaccinated people in the county is still high enough that the much hoped for “herd immunity” might remain out of reach without additional vaccinations.
The San Diego Union-Tribune health reporter Paul Sisson told KPBS Midday Edition the focus now is on delivering vaccinations at smaller sites, like clinics, pharmacies and doctor’s offices.
And health officials are still waiting to see if the vaccination “lottery,” announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week, might boost vaccinations across the state. Prizes include a chance at $1.5 million for 10 people who receive at least one shot before June 15.
Sisson joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to discuss the changing trends in vaccination efforts.
