Cal Poly Pomona will be joining the statewide vaccination effort for COVID-19 when a consortium of health organizations opens a new mass vaccination hub in Parking Structure 2 and Parking Lot B on Feb. 5.

The hub will help accelerate vaccine distribution to individuals in accordance with the state's phases and tiers, as developed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The hub will offer vaccinations by appointment only, 7 days a week, as long as supply is available.

Visit California's My Turn website to learn more about the current eligibility requirements and how to make an appointment in your area. Those without email or access to Internet can call the CA COVID-19 Hotline for assistance at 1-833-422-4255 on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekends.

As an institution that has been part of the Southern California community for more than 80 years and an anchor in our region, Cal Poly Pomona immensely values the opportunity to support the state's COVID-19 response and partner with the consortium of healthcare providers in offering our campus as a public vaccination distribution hub.

"Cal Poly Pomona is very happy to provide a vaccination site for our community," University President Soraya M. Coley said. "Vaccines save lives, and we are committed, proud and prepared to be part of this effort."

The consortium, initiated by Kaiser Permanente, includes Adventist Health, the California Medical Association, Dignity Health, and Futuro Health. California Primary Care Association will also be working with the consortium to ensure broad equitable access to the sites through its member federally qualified community health centers. In addition, the American Red Cross has provided its expertise on mass site planning.

"We want to acknowledge and thank the state for making additional vaccine available, which has made it possible to open this site for the community and our members," said Greg A. Adams, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente. "We have helped form this consortium because our respective organizations recognize that we need to harness our collective efforts to make immediate and meaningful progress toward mass vaccination."

In addition, the university's Safer Return Task Force has established a Vaccine Hub webpage with additional information for the Cal Poly Pomona Community.

The hub will start on a small scale, offering approximately 500 to 1,000 appointments in the first days of operation with the goal of eventually offering between 8,000 to 10,000 per day. The success of the hub will be highly dependent on the available supply of vaccine.

Visit California's My Turn website to learn more about the current eligibility requirements and how to make an appointment in your area. Those without email or access to Internet can call the CA COVID-19 Hotline for assistance at 1-833-422-4255 on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekends.