Orange County’s second COVID-19 super vaccine site opens at Soka University in Aliso Viejo

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) – Orange County’s second COVID-19 super vaccination site opened on Saturday, attracting hundreds of residents to be vaccinated, including many vulnerable seniors.

Nearly 2,000 people have been vaccinated at the site located at Soka University in Aliso Viejo. It opened less than two weeks after the county’s first major site opened at Disneyland.

The Disneyland site is outside, but vaccines at Soka University will be administered in the campus gymnasium. Residents can use the Othena County app or website to make an appointment for either site.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said one of the advantages of the Soka University site is its convenience for older people in the area, such as residents of the Laguna Woods Village retirement community. County authorities are providing vaccines to people aged 65 and older, as they are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

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The county plans to open more sites once new vaccines become available.

Despite the opening of the new site, vaccine supply remains a major stumbling block for many counties in Southern California. The Orange County health care agency says it is continually asking for more doses from the state.

Those who were able to secure a date on the Aliso Viejo site said they were grateful for its reopening, including a woman who managed to secure dates for both of her parents.

“I am so relieved to see everything that is going on in the world and to see all the people in hospitals without their family members. I was so worried for my family but I am so relieved, ”said Fatima Mougammadou.

She added that the process at the new site was very organized.

Even with the vaccine shortage, county officials say they believe they are on track to have everyone in Orange County vaccinated by July 4.

City News Service contributed to this report.