3 minute read
Together We Can, Together We Will
The race to get Delaware residents vaccinated against
COVID-19 kept Dover International Speedway’s parking lot abuzz throughout the late winter and spring months.
The first vaccination event on Feb. 21-27 featured federal and state personnel eager to serve and help Delaware residents. Since that first event, many weekends in March and April found vehicles filing behind the Monster Mile’s grandstands with drivers and passengers eager to receive a vaccination shot.
“Dover International Speedway is pleased to have hosted this vaccination event,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover International Speedway president and CEO. “We know how much COVID-19 has impacted this community, and the nation as a whole, and it is crucial that we all do our part to boost our public health numbers.
“We thank all of the personnel who managed and executed the drive-thru lines carefully, efficiently and in a very friendly manner throughout this process. The collaboration and coordination that took place between the various agencies is a model that should be emulated throughout our country – it was simply impressive!”
The location opened on Sunday, Feb. 21, as the first federally run vaccination site in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 3. In partnership with the state of Delaware, residents in need of second dosages of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccine enjoyed the luxury of a drive-thru site.
The selection of Dover International Speedway for this unprecedented mission had everything to do with need, speed, efficiency, and proximity. Centrally located, travel to the site could be completed in just over an hour from anyplace in the state.
“We are extremely grateful for this partnership with FEMA, Delaware Emergency Management (DEMA), Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Dover International Speedway enabling us to provide second doses to thousands of Delawareans and first doses to childcare providers,” said Delaware Division of Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay.
“I want to thank the commitment and professionalism all of those who have spent countless hours supporting Delaware this past week, in making the experience for our residents so positive. Even as more people are vaccinated in the coming months, we urge residents not to let your guards down. Keep masking up, staying distant, washing your hands, and getting tested on a regular basis.”
“FEMA is very proud of what we’ve accomplished here in Dover,” added Tim Pheil, Region 3 Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer. “With over 200 personnel deployed to support this mission, we were able to vaccinate 15,840 individuals [in the February event]. This number is a positive step toward ending this pandemic and a direct reflection of the collaboration needed to achieve it.”
“Multiple sectors worked together to create a well-executed event,” said Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director A.J. Schall. “We extend our thanks to all the partners that assisted with this weeklong event; a small step closer to beating COVID-19.”
All told since late February, vaccination events at Dover International Speedway have served more than 60,000 Delaware residents.
“It is the strong partnerships with our State counterparts and other federal partners that elevated the success of the COVID-19 vaccination site in Delaware,” said Janice Barlow, acting regional administrator for FEMA Region 3. “Although FEMA trains and prepares daily for catastrophic events, manmade and natural disasters, we understand nothing takes the place of meaningful partnerships. I’m grateful for the AmeriCorps volunteers who graciously gave of their time, our other federal partners, our state partners, and the community. Without their help, we could not have done this. Together, we will continue to overcome this pandemic, while working toward building a better future.”
