Demand For Booster Shots High At San Mateo County Event Center

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo County Event Center increased capacity Wednesday to accommodate COVID-19 booster shots, as demand for boosters at the vaccination site has been high.

Wait times to check in for the drive-through site can exceed 40 minutes, according to county officials. The event center opened as a vaccination site for booster shots on Oct. 7.

Those eligible for boosters are encouraged to make an appointment through the state's MyTurn site. People who had appointments on Tuesday but were unable to get shots can come on Wednesday without having to make a new appointment.

Over 90 percent of county residents over the age of 12 have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

NBC Bay Area's helicopter captured a long line of cars waiting to get into the event center on Tuesday afternoon:

San Mateo also sent a traffic advisory on Tuesday afternoon asking people to avoid the traffic congestion near the event center.

Demand is highest for the recently-approved Moderna booster but will decrease over time, county officials said.

The vaccination clinic is open Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The busiest time is right when it opens, according to county officials.

Boosters shots are also available at local pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens.

Click here for more information on booster shots in San Mateo County.