Disneyland in Anaheim will become Orange County's first point of dispensing site for Covid vaccines (photo: Getty Images)
Cover Disneyland in Anaheim will become Orange County's first point of dispensing site for Covid vaccines (photo: Getty Images)

The Disney theme park, which has been closed since California's lockdown last March, will transform into Orange County's first point of dispensing site for the coronavirus vaccine

Just a spoon full of sugar makes the... Covid-19 vaccine go down? That's what California officials are hoping, at least, with the announcement this morning that the original Disneyland in Anaheim will serve as Orange County's first large-scale point-of-dispensing (POD) site, providing Covid-19 vaccines. Opening later this week, Disneyland will be the first of five "Super PODs" designated in Orange County and set up dispense thousands of vaccines daily; the further four Super PODs are pending.

"The Disneyland Resort, the largest employer in the heart of Orange County, has stepped up to host the county's first Super POD site—undertaking a monumental task in our vaccination distribution process," said acting Chairman Andrew Do, First District, in a statement from the county.

In California, vaccine distribution is managed through the California Department of Public Health. In Orange County, the inoculation is currently available to vulnerable populations and front-line workers, including but not limited to:

  • First responders
  • Law enforcement
  • Residents age 75 and older

Opened in 1955, Disneyland in Anaheim is the first Disney theme park and the only theme park created and built under the "direct supervision of Walt Disney." The park has been closed since March, when parts of California went into lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. While the Disney Downtown District has begun a phased reopening, the park, hotels, and resorts are closed until further notice.

"Coronavirus has brought both a public health crisis and economic devastation," said Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu in a statement. "With this super site, we will begin to overcome both. Every vaccination done in Anaheim will help to save lives and speed the reopening and recovery of our city."

Orange County, California, has set a goal to complete all county vaccinations by July 4.

Read also: Disneyland Paris To Add Star Wars Zone In $2.5 Bn Upgrade