UCI Health sets up vaccination site for its patients
Campus, UCI Health continue leadership role in fight against COVID-19
Since COVID-19 first reached a pandemic state, UCI and UCI Health have been leaders in the community’s fight against the disease.
So it came as no surprise that the campus’ Bren Events Center became one of the first vaccination sites in Orange County. During the three-day weekend of Jan. 16-18, UCI Health began offering the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 2,700 UCI Health patients 65 years of age and older.
“The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines is an important milestone for Orange County and UCI Health is proud to begin offering it to our patients,” says UCI Health CEO Chad Lefteris. “This vaccination event at UCI was the first of many in the coming months.”
The UCI Health vaccination appointment schedule filled within minutes of going live Friday, reflecting the high demand for the vaccine.
“We are excited and enthusiastic about the response from our patients,” Lefteris adds. “Together, we can lower the number of cases in Orange County and eventually conquer this disease that has caused so much devastation across our community.”
UCI Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. Nasim Afsar said additional vaccination events for UCI Health patients in California’s Phase 1a tier will be scheduled as doses become available.
“The entire UCI Health team has done a fantastic job creating this vaccination program, just as they did for community COVID-19 testing last spring, but they can’t control this pandemic without your help,” Afsar says. “Please continue to wear masks, stay home when possible, practice appropriate social distancing and wash your hands regularly.”
