Oakland’s mass vaccination site looks to be staying open beyond Sunday.
But the clinic’s continuing vaccine supply and who would be responsible for its day-to-day operations remains up in the air, leaving its future uncertain.
The change of heart comes after Bay Area officials expressed concern over closing the Coliseum site this weekend as scheduled. Oakland's mass clinic, meant to help a California push to vaccinate low-income and vulnerable residents, is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state’s Office of Emergency Services.
"We are going to keep the site open. We are extending it," Vice President Kamala Harris told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday during her first trip to Oakland as vice president.
Sen. Alex Padilla echoed the vice president’s comments.
"We don't have a final plan or commitment, but I think the willingness of all parties (is there) to figure out how to go forward," he said. "So we still have several days before Sunday arrives to figure it out."
The extension has not been confirmed by the FEMA or Cal OES.
"We get calls in our offices on a daily basis of people still searching for vaccines," said Wilma Chan, Alameda County supervisor. "This site has been valuable, but we still don't have enough. There's still be a shortage. There's still been people that are searching and searching for appointments."
The site administers an estimated 42,000 shots per week, according to officials.
While demand is expected to spike when California opens up eligibility to anyone 16 and older next Thursday, a FEMA spokesperson said the closure of the Coliseum site would go on as planned with California’s COVID-19 vaccine supply projected to increase.
The site was opened as part of a federal pilot program.
A similar site at Cal State Los Angeles will be taken over by the City of Los Angeles.
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