New U of L COVID-19 vaccination super-site opens at Cardinal Stadium

University of Louisville Health opened the state's largest COVID-19 vaccination center Monday at Cardinal Stadium — a massive drive-thru project with 24 lanes of vehicles that will give shots to an expected 4,000 people a day, six days a week.

"We're really looking forward to being able to give this vaccine to the public," said Dr. Hugh Shoff, associate chief medical officer for U of L Health, standing before dozens of rows of orange traffic cones and a series of oversized white tents.

Located on a vast parking lot south of the football stadium at Floyd Street and Central Avenue, the drive-thru vaccine site will be open for the next six weeks to provide COVID-19 vaccine free to anyone 16 or older. The center will be closed on Sundays.

Though most people are expected to arrive by car, walk-ins are accepted and online appointments are encouraged but not required.

"By all means," Shoff said, "please come out."

Already, about 8,000 people had signed up for appointments by Wednesday, with 4,000 booked the first day, Shoff said.

With more than 1 million Kentuckians 16 or older yet to be vaccinated, Shoff said he's ready to handle capacity crowds and hopes they arrive. The site, south of U of L and near Interstate 65, was selected in part because of accessibility.

"I really want us to be maxed out every single day," he said.

Anyone 16 or older is now eligible to be vaccinated in Kentucky. So far, about 1.4 million Kentuckians have received a COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.

Beshear urged any Kentuckian eligible for the vaccine to sign up at sites such as Cardinal Stadium, saying the state can't afford to let up on vaccinations as COVID-19 continues to spread.

"Now more than ever, it is absolutely critical that we get everyone — especially our young people who now qualify — vaccinated," Beshear said.

In Kentucky, more than 6,000 people have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic reached the state a year ago.

"We know there's going to be more heartbreaking loss, but the faster we get everyone vaccinated, the less loss we will see," he said.

A small army of U of L staff,  the Kentucky National Guard and volunteers including members of AmeriCorps and U of L medical students will help run the Cardinal Stadium center, Shoff said. He said it will take about 100 people per day to operate it.

Among the volunteers is Victoria Hammond, one of more than a dozen U of L medical students who signed up to help.

Hammond, 25, is about to graduate from medical school and is using her time before she begins a residency in surgery at U of L to volunteer at the center full-time.

"Obviously, I'm very passionate about getting vaccine to people who need it," she said. 

When U of L announced it was seeking volunteers from the medical school, Hammond didn't hesitate.

"I just wanted to be part of it," she said.

Hammond said she isn't sure yet what her role will be but expects the medical students will be asked to give vaccine injections.

Also assisting is a contingent of young people from AmeriCorps, a national service organization operated by the federal government.

Olivia Pinson, 18, of Idaho, said the U of L site will be her second stint at a COVID-19 vaccination center as an AmeriCorps volunteer.

Pinson said she previously worked at a mass vaccination site in Tucson at the University of Arizona and found it very rewarding.

One of her jobs, she said, was to monitor people who are asked to wait 15 minutes after vaccination to make sure they don't experience any adverse reactions.

"It was awesome," Pinson said. "I had a lot of conversations with strangers who were just so grateful to be getting the vaccine."

AmeriCorps volunteer Annabelle Merz, 19, of Cincinnati, said the U of L site will be her first experience working at a vaccine center.

While she doesn't yet know what her role will be, she's excited to be part of the vaccination effort, said Merz, who is taking a "gap year" between high school and college. She plans to attend U of L this fall.

"This is one of the biggest honors I could experience," she said. "I took this gap year hoping to make a difference."

One concern of officials is that younger people — who so far, have experienced far fewer cases of serious illness and death from COVID-19 — will be less inclined to seek the vaccine even as states open it up to them. In Kentucky, anyone 16 or older became eligible April 5.

Beshear voiced those concerns Monday, stressing that younger adults and teens need to take advantage of the chance to get vaccinated at any of the 500 sites around Kentucky, including Cardinal Stadium.

"We really need you to get the vaccine," he said. "If you are anywhere near that Louisville area, go sign up right now."

Shoff, the U of L physican overseeing the center, said he also worries that younger people won't take advantage of the opportunity.

"I am concerned about people who are under 40 who don't want the vaccine," he said. "We see people who are under 40 with COVID and they do get sick, seriously.

Merz, the AmeriCorps volunteer, said everyone eligible should get the vaccine to protect those around them as well as themselves from COVID-19.

"This is something that affects everyone," she said. "It's so important that every one of us does what they can."

Shoff said the U of L center will offer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which is authorized for anyone 16 or older. The two other vaccines currently in use, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, are approved only for those 18 or older.

Those under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian to authorize the vaccination, Shoff said.

Shoff said the center may offer other vaccines as supplies become available.

The center will be open Monday through Saturday, 9 a..m. to 6 p.m. though it will be closed April 30 and May 1 for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby at the nearby Churchill Downs.

More information, including how to sign up for appointments, is available on the website at UofLHealth.org. People without internet access may call  502-681-1435.

The vaccinations are free. People should bring a photo ID and insurance card, if they have insurance, Shoff said.

U of L also is seeking volunteers to help at the site who may sign up through the website.

Reach Deborah Yetter at dyetter@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4228. Find her on Twitter at @d_yetter. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/subscribe.