FEMA Supporting Vaccination Centers Nationwide

Release Date Release Number
HQ-21-050
Release Date:
February 26, 2021

WASHINGTON -- FEMA continues taking action to support President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.’s battle against COVID-19.  Since Jan. 20, FEMA has obligated more than $3.97 billion towards the vaccination efforts, establishing or expanding more than 440 community vaccination centers nationwide and providing critical support in the form of personnel, supplies and funding.

These community vaccination centers will help meet the President’s goal of administering 100 million shots in 100 days and getting vaccines to everyone who wants one more rapidly and equitably.

Federal support to community vaccination centers nationwide includes:

  • 171 centers supported by federal personnel: More than 2,200 federal personnel are deployed nationwide to support vaccination operations, including expert logisticians, vaccinators and non-medical operational staff serving as greeters, clerks and in other critical support roles. Of those personnel, FEMA has deployed over 1,800 staff members while still supporting recent disaster declarations in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • 177 centers receiving federal funding: At the President’s direction, FEMA is reimbursing 100% of costs for vaccination operations. This funding covers critical supplies, staffing, training and transportation needs that support increased vaccination distribution and administration. The funding flows to states, localities, tribes, territories and eligible non-profits.  
  • 62 centers receiving federal equipment: From folding chairs to sharps containers, the federal government has provided a range of equipment to meet state, tribal, territory and local needs and help establish or expand centers.
  • 312 centers supported by federally-funded National Guard members under Title 32 orders: This means more people to deliver vaccinations, handle logistics and coordinate the pandemic response. In total, the Administration is supporting 1,200 National Guard vaccinators across 43 states and territories.

Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Centers


The federal government announced 18 community vaccination centers established through coordination between the federal government and state partners with the ability to administer a total of 61,000 shots per day at full capacity.

FEMA has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state and local partners, to situate vaccination centers in places that promote equity using CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and similar measures. Equity is embedded into the design of federal pilot community vaccination centers, with features including weekend and extended daytime hours, reserved slots for registration through faith-based and community-based organizations and some centers have mobile vaccination units to help vaccinate surrounding communities.

Two centers opened in California on Feb. 16, administering over 90,000 shots since opening. To bring vaccinations directly to nearby underserved communities, these centers are the base for four mobile clinics as well. Additional centers in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and North Carolina are launching in the coming weeks, with more to be announced.

Launched Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Centers:

  • California
    • Oakland Coliseum -- Oakland: FEMA partnered with the state of California to open the center on Feb. 16, with the capacity to vaccinate 6,000 individuals a day. At the time of launch, 231 federal personnel were deployed to support center vaccinations and operations, including 125 from FEMA.
    • California State University Los Angeles -- Los Angeles: FEMA partnered with the state of California to open the center on Feb. 16, with the capacity to vaccinate 6,000 individuals a day. At the time of launch, 256 personnel were deployed to support center vaccinations and operations, including 30 from FEMA. This institution is one of the most diverse public universities in the country, serving a large Latinx community.
  • Texas
    • NRG Stadium -- Houston: FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management opened this center on Feb. 24, with the capacity to vaccinate 6,000 individuals a day. Harris County is highly diverse, home to the nation’s second-largest Hispanic and Latinx population of any U.S. county.
    • Fair Park -- Dallas: FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management opened the center on Feb. 24, with the capacity to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day. Dallas County is highly diverse, with nearly two-thirds of its population Hispanic and/or Black.
    • Globe Life Field -- Arlington: FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management will open the center on Feb. 26, with the capacity to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day. Dallas County is highly diverse, with nearly two-thirds of its population Hispanic and/or Black.
  • New York
    • Medgar Evers College -- Brooklyn: FEMA and New York State opened the center on Feb. 23, with the capacity to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day. The center is located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
    • York College – Queens: New York State and FEMA opened the center on Feb. 23, with the capacity to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day. The center is located in Jamaica, Queens.

Announced Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Centers, opening soon:

  • Florida
    • Miami-Dade Community College -- Miami: With state partners, FEMA will open a center in Miami-Dade County on Mar. 3. The center location will be the North Campus of Miami-Dade Community College and is expected to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day.
    • Tampa Greyhound Track -- Tampa: With state partners, FEMA will open a center in Hillsborough County Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day.
    • Valencia College -- West Campus, Orlando: With state partners, FEMA will open a center in Orange County Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day.
    • Gateway Mall -- Jacksonville: With state partners, FEMA will open a center in Duval County Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day.
  • New York
    • New York National Guard Armory -- Yonkers: FEMA and the State of New York will open the center on Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 1,000 individuals a day and will operate with extended hours to better reach local residents.
    • Former Kodak Hawkeye Lot -- Rochester: FEMA and the State of New York will open the center on Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 1,000 individuals a day and will operate with extended hours to better reach local residents.
    • Delavan Grider Community Center -- Buffalo: FEMA and the State of New York will open the center on Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 1,000 individuals a day and will operate with extended hours to better reach local residents.
    • Washington Avenue Armory -- Albany: FEMA and the State of New York will open the center on Mar. 3. The center is expected to vaccinate 1,000 individuals a day and will operate with extended hours to better reach local residents.
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pennsylvania Convention Center -- Philadelphia: With state partners, FEMA will open this center on Mar. 4, which is expected to vaccinate 6,000 individuals a day.
  • Illinois
    • United Center -- Chicago: With state partners, FEMA will open this center on Mar. 10. The center is expected to vaccinate 6,000 individuals a day.
  • North Carolina
    • Four Seasons Center -- Greensboro: With state partners, FEMA will open this center on Mar. 10. The center is expected to vaccinate 3,000 individuals a day.
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