The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has volunteered a member network of more than 20,000 U.S. hotels to serve as vaccine administration sites, claiming hospitality venues are "uniquely positioned" to aid in the vaccine rollout.
In a letter to the Biden-Harris transition team, AHLA CEO Chip Rogers urged public officials to consider mobilizing hotels as part of U.S. vaccination efforts, citing the hospitality industry's extensive geographic reach and operational capabilities.
"Hotels have private rooms, meeting rooms, conference and ballrooms as well as outside areas, [and] hotels are equipped for 24-hour operations to allow for round-the-clock vaccination administration," said Rogers. "Further, as hotels are currently running at less than 50% occupancy rates, families or individuals who might be traveling to receive the vaccine will have access to comfortable and flexible lodging options should they need."
Rogers also highlighted the hotel industry's ability to offer refrigeration for vaccine storage, ample parking and enhanced cleanliness, among other important services and amenities.
In Nevada, the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is already preparing to open its doors as a vaccination center, in partnership with the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC). Located within the resort's convention space, near the Encore self-parking garage, the UMC Covid-19 Vaccination Center will begin operating on Jan. 18.
According to Wynn Resorts, the site is "equipped to offer hundreds of vaccinations each day."
The vaccination center is open to residents of Nevada who are eligible to receive the shot under state guidelines, which currently limits vaccinations to healthcare workers, first responders or people who are 70 and older.