Covid Vaccine

Protecting public health and reopening the State's economy now depends on millions of Californians getting vaccinated. The following information details vaccine safety and delivery:

Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Two vaccines, both based on messenger RNA (mRNA), have been authorized for emergency use. Visit the links below to understand how these vaccines and others work. Once you are vaccinated, it will help your body develop immunity to the COVID-19 virus without you having to get sick first.

How to Get Vaccinated

The County of Orange is moving quickly to make the COVID-19 vaccination available to everyone in Orange County. Named Operation Independence, the County is setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing (POD) sites, called Super PODs, that can perform thousands of vaccinations every day.

Who is currently eligible?

Updated 2/22/21: Vaccines dispensed at County Super PODs are currently available for qualifying individuals who live and work in Orange County and fall within the State’s "Phase 1A & 1B, Tier 1" status, including persons age 65 and older, contingent on vaccine availability and local administration capacity.

To view a list of those who are currently eligible to receive a vaccine, visit the OC Health Care Agency’s website.

Registering for a Vaccine Appointment

Currently, the only way to register to receive a vaccination appointment at a County Super POD site is online. Visit Othena.com, select the "First Time User" button, and answer the questions. After registering, users will be put into a digital waiting room to wait their turn for a vaccine appointment. The Othena system generates email appointment invitations as soon as appointments open up at a vaccine dispensing location. If users download the Othena app, the app will notify users when appointments become available. Please be advised that appointments are limited by vaccine availability, but capacity is frequently expanding as more doses become available.

If you need help with the registration process, please call the OC Health Care Agency's hotline at 714-834-2000. The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for questions related to Othena and vaccine-related issues. Please note that the hotline cannot register people for Othena at this time.

Vaccine Super POD Locations

Eligible individuals with an appointment must present identification and proof of eligibility at the Super POD site of their appointment to receive a vaccine. The Super POD sites are not accepting walk-up appointments. The following Super POD sites are currently operating seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

  1. Disneyland - Anaheim
    The first Super POD opened at Disneyland in Anaheim on January 13, 2021;
  2. Soka University - Aliso Viejo
    The second Super POD opened at Soka University in Aliso Viejo on January 23, 2021; and
  3. Anaheim Convention Center - Anaheim*
    Effective February 24, 2021, everyone who received the first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Disneyland Super POD site will receive the second dose at the Anaheim Convention Center Super POD site. After February 24, Disneyland will only dispense Pfizer, both first and second doses.
    *The opening of this site may be delayed due to vaccine supply shortages caused by recent weather events across the Country.

New Super POD sites will open as the supply of COVID-19 vaccines available in the County increases. The County anticipates the need for at least five Super PODs located throughout the county. Additional Super POD sites will open in a phased approach, ensuring access to all Orange County residents.

Other Vaccination Options

The County Super PODs and mobile clinics are not the only options to receive a vaccination. Other healthcare providers approved to dispense the vaccine, including hospitals, pharmacies, and health clinics, play an essential role in vaccinating Orange County’s population. For more vaccination providers, please visit the County's website. Please be advised that only people who are eligible to receive the vaccine will be provided a vaccine by any provider. Please check with your healthcare provider to inquire if they will be offering vaccinations appointments.

The County is also setting up smaller mobile PODs to provide vaccinations to the most underserved communities during the week, and other communities on Sundays. The City has requested the mobile POD to visit Yorba Linda, but the County currently cannot provide any timetable for if or when this can happen. The City will provide more information to residents if the Mobile POD will be coming to Yorba Linda. Please follow our social media accounts and sign up for our Latest News alerts for future updates.

For more information

Residents can also visit COVIDVaccineFacts.com for the latest information on who is currently eligible to receive the vaccination and learn about its safety and efficacy. For questions related to COVID-19, visit ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus. For all other questions, please call the County of Orange COVID-19 hotline at 714-834-2000 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.