City, Tournament of Roses, Team Up for Vaccinations

As Pasadena continues to lead the state in Covid vaccination rates, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena teamed up Thursday at Tournament House to provide another round of community vaccinations, including a third shot for immunocompromised residents, as part of the City’s #vaccinatePasadena program.

“The Tournament of Roses has been a great partner throughout our #VaccinatePasadena roll-out,” said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

Tournament volunteers have worked at pop-up clinics at schools and at the Pasadena City College and Victory Park dispensing sites, as well as assisting with promoting the community-based clinics and dropping off flyers at local businesses, added Derderian.

Derderian also noted that 94% of eligible Pasadena residents have had at least one vaccination, with 84% receiving two doses.

“Those are very high numbers, and we are very proud of them,” she said. But Derderian also cautioned that Pasadena is also seeing a very high transmission rate.

“Our numbers have increased significantly, percentage-wise,” said Derderian. “We are seeing the Delta Variant that has been detected in Pasadena, so we need the community to do the right thing. In the future, you’re not going to be able to do much if you’re not vaccinated.”

Asked how the Delta Variant and ongoing pandemic might affect the 2022 New Year’s Day events, David Eads, executive director and CEO of the Tournament of Roses, struck a confident note.

“We are currently planning for hosting both the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl game,” Eads said. “We’re working closely with the Pasadena Public Health Department, as well as LA County and information from the CDC to make sure that we plan the parade and the game in the most safe and effective manner that we can.”

“People that attend the parade might need to wear masks, and all of our float participants on the floats might need to wear masks,” Eads said.

He added that any social distancing requirements in place would have to be implemented.

“Whatever we do,” said Eads, “we’re putting together a contingency plan, so that we can deal with whatever orders are in place come January 1.”

Eads also reminded the community that the Tournament of Roses continues to support #VaccinatePasadena by requiring applicants for the 2022 Royal Court to be fully vaccinated to participate. Applications are now open, and the interview process begins next month, he said.