Opening Day has not arrived yet, but Major League ballparks have already been a big draw during the United States’ ongoing mass vaccination effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
More than 1 million total vaccine doses have been administered at the following facilities: Citi Field, Coors Field, Dodger Stadium, Fenway Park, Globe Life Field, Marlins Park, Minute Maid Park, Oakland Coliseum, Petco Park, PNC Park and Yankee Stadium. The use of the large and spacious stadiums has helped improve vaccination rates in those communities.
“Major League Baseball, our clubs and Major League players have worked hand in hand with communities across the U.S. and Canada during the pandemic,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “I commend the clubs that have hosted vaccination and testing at their ballparks and all of our franchises for promoting health and safety in our communities. Most importantly, MLB is grateful to the countless heroes who are lifting up our society and helping us reach the better days ahead.”
The vaccination program is part of an ongoing effort by MLB, its 30 clubs and the players to aid those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Collectively, more than $75 million has been donated to benefit members of the baseball community, healthcare and frontline workers, families affected by cancer, people in need of food through Meals on Wheels and Feeding America, domestic violence organizations, citizens of the Dominican Republic and other causes.
Additionally, MLB and its clubs have distributed and analyzed more than 20,000 free COVID-19 PCR tests for schools, Youth Academies, charities and other community organizations in Arlington, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Fresno, Calif., Miami, New Orleans, New York, Salt Lake City, Tampa, Fla., and the various tour stops during the Players Alliance’s “Pull Up Neighbor” tour this past winter.
MLB and the other major U.S. sports leagues have supported the Ad Council and the COVID Collaborative on the launch of a new campaign, “It’s Up to You,” which encourages fans to visit GetVaccineAnswers.org for the latest information about COVID-19 vaccine.