Biden administration to open mass vaccination sites in California

The American government will be opening a series of mass coronavirus vaccination sites in California as part of the Biden administration's plan to combat the spread of coronavirus, NBC News reports.

The plan deviates from the vaccination strategy pursued by the Trump administration, which generally left the states with the responsibility of pursuing vaccination campaigns. The Biden administration is seeking to increase federal involvement as states struggle to keep up with the demand for vaccines amongst their citizens

The first vaccination centres will be opened in the Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The other will be on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles.

"These sites in California are just the beginning," said Jeffrey Zients, President Joe Biden's coronavirus response coordinator. "We are working with, in partnership, in states across the country to stand up new sites and will have more to say on that in the coming weeks."

The federal government has already redirected hundreds of FEMA employees and National Guard members to aid in vaccine distribution. The administration has also ramped up vaccine shipments to the states, including by beginning direct distribution to pharmacies across the country.

Nearly 33 million Americans, roughly ten percent of the population, have already received doses of the coronavirus vaccine.