Arizonans Age 16 And Up Can Be Vaccinated At State Sites.
“Our goal has been and remains to get vaccine into the community as quickly, widely and equitably as possible,” said Governor Ducey. “Given a thorough review of vaccination data, anticipated vaccine supply, and current demand among prioritized groups, now is the time to take this critical next step.”
As of this morning, Arizona has administered 2,904,159 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to 1,831,456 individuals, including 1,136,413 who are fully vaccinated. As of Monday morning, there were over 58,000 appointments still available from Friday’s release.
The change announced today advances a hybrid approach that had been based on age and also has had counties vaccinating frontline essential workers. It applies to appointments still available for this week at state sites in Maricopa and Pima counties.
“We anticipate more and more vaccine reaching Arizona heading into April, making it possible now to expand prioritization,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “We have been flexible and nimble throughout, while expanding the availability of state sites to vaccinate large numbers of people rapidly.”
ADHS now opens appointments at 11 a.m. each Friday for State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona State University’s Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Tempe, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, the University of Arizona in central Tucson, and, as of this Friday, Yuma Civic Center in Yuma County.
State sites complement county vaccination programs and the growing availability of vaccine at pharmacies and federally qualified health centers participating in federal vaccination programs. Sites using the Pfizer vaccine, including those run by the state, can vaccinate those 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines, which are allocated to counties, are approved for those 18 and older.
Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201 to be connected with someone who can assist. Note: You can use the patient portal at podvaccine.azdhs.gov to make an appointment for a relative.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccine
Governor Ducey Issues Advisory To Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Governor Doug Ducey today issued an advisory to accelerate the statewide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and move doses of vaccine to where they can be rapidly administered to the Arizonans.
“The COVID-19 vaccination is our best shot at returning to life as it should be. Over the last two weeks, the COVID-19 vaccination site at State Farm Stadium has become a national model for vaccine administration,” said Governor Ducey. “With adequate vaccine doses, we can build on this success, both at our existing vaccination sites, and at additional sites across the state. This advisory will provide transparency in the pace of vaccination administration, and allow us to direct vaccine doses to where they will be most rapidly distributed.”
The advisory requires healthcare providers and local health agencies who administer the COVID-19 vaccine to report data to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) indicating the pace of vaccination distribution. It also allows the state to reallocate vaccination doses to where they will be most rapidly distributed and extends the requirement for hospitals, testing laboratories, and other health care facilities to report detailed information about COVID-19.
“We’re waging a heroic effort to get the COVID-19 vaccine distributed, and it’s been a real team effort,” Governor Ducey said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the partnerships we’ve formed with the Arizona Cardinals, Walgreens, Arizona State University, the Ivy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, and American Medical Response. We owe a debt of gratitude to each of these organizations, and to all the healthcare workers on the frontlines.”
“Now,” Governor Ducey added, “our federal partners need to do their part. They need to prioritize quicker distribution of the vaccine to the states, so we can get the vaccine out of freezers, off of shelves, and into the arms of Arizonans.”
Today’s announcement builds on the success of the COVID-19 Vaccination Site at State Farm Stadium launched on Jan. 11. The site, administered by the State of Arizona and operated by ADHS and community partners, has dramatically expanded access and accelerated the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In total, 486,338 vaccinations have been administered statewide. Local health agencies and healthcare providers have administered 407,757 doses of the vaccine to Arizonans since Dec. 16, at an average rate of 9,708 vaccines per day statewide. ADHS has administered 79,112 doses since Jan. 11 at an average rate of 5,247 per day, at just one site. ADHS will launch a second site on Feb. 1, at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium near Tempe.
Both ADHS-operated sites are capable of administering 6,000-12,000 vaccinations per day, but with limited vaccine doses available, the sites are operating at partial capacity. Last week, the federal government denied a request by ADHS to allocate 300,000 additional vaccine doses per week to Arizona. As a result, the Phoenix Municipal Stadium will launch with just 500 appointments scheduled per day.
The advisory issued today provides better insight into the pace of vaccine distribution by local health agencies and healthcare providers. Current data indicates some providers reporting as much as 100% of their vaccine doses yet to be administered. This order will require local health agencies and healthcare providers to report their plans to administer unused doses and allow ADHS to redirect unused vaccine doses and accelerate delivery across the state. As additional vaccine doses are secured, ADHS aims to expand its vaccination sites in northern, central, and western regions.
Previous Actions on COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
- On Nov. 18, Governor Ducey signed an Enhanced Surveillance Advisory ensuring up-to-date data on COVID-19 vaccinations.
- On Dec. 2, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order mandating the COVID-19 vaccine be made available for free, ensuring all Arizonans receive the vaccine without financial barriers. The Governor also announced that the state’s vaccination plan would prioritize health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, teachers and vulnerable populations.
- Arizona received the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine doses on Dec. 14. The distribution of the vaccine began in the state’s largest population centers, Maricopa and Pima counties.
- On Dec. 16, Governor Ducey announced 10 Arizona healthcare frontline workers would be among the first Arizonans to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- On Dec. 27, ADHS announced that Arizonans 75 and older would be prioritized to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the second phase of distribution following a recommendation by a panel of state, local, and tribal public health experts.
- On Dec. 30, Governor Ducey directed ADHS to implement a state-directed allocation model to ensure a uniform approach to the vaccination of high-risk and high-priority Arizonans.
- On Jan. 8, Governor Ducey and ADHS announced that the state would open a 24/7 vaccination site at State Farm Stadium in Glendale to dramatically expand the availability of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The site is a collaborative effort operated in partnership with and support by ADHS, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona State University, and the Arizona Cardinals.
- On Jan. 13, ADHS announced that Arizonans 65 and older would be prioritized to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the second phase of distribution following a recommendation by a panel of state, local, and tribal public health experts.
- On Jan. 16, Governor Ducey and ADHS announced the launch of the second state-operated vaccinate site at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The site will begin operations on Feb. 1.
Registration Available For The State’s First 24/7 COVID-19 Vaccination Site
Registration opened at 9 a.m. for the state’s first 24/7 COVID-19 vaccination site at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, with the first appointments available beginning Tuesday, Jan. 12, for health care workers, first responders, teachers, law enforcement officers, Arizonans over age 75 and others at the top of the priority list for vaccine distribution. The launch of the new state location comes as Arizona’s largest county moves into priority groups in Phase 1B — opening up vaccine access to a substantially larger group of Arizonans. Registration is available for the vaccination site at State Farm Stadium and several other sites throughout the state at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/.
“After the initial soft launch of this site, we will have the capability to immunize thousands of Arizonans around the clock, 7 days a week,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “It will help meet the growing demand for COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona as we move into our priority Phase 1B and beyond. This tremendous step forward in our vaccination effort wouldn’t be possible without our partners, including the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation, the Arizona Cardinals, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Arizona State University, Walgreens, the City of Glendale, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.”
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has established the site in part thanks to a $1 million grant from the Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation and with support from the Arizona Cardinals, Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona, and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. The site will serve individuals in both Phase 1A and Phase 1B.
Maricopa County, the largest in Arizona, have advanced to making vaccine available to the priority groups in Phase 1B. Phase 1A prioritizes frontline healthcare workers and residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities, and those individuals retain their priority in subsequent phases of vaccine distribution. Those currently eligible for vaccination in prioritized phase 1B include education and childcare professionals and support staff, law enforcement officers, individuals working in other protective services occupations, and those 75 years and older. Other essential workers will become eligible as more vaccine becomes available and the counties move fully into phase 1B.
Again, registration is available beginning at 9am for the vaccination site at State Farm Stadium and several other sites throughout the state at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/. Information about all vaccination sites across Arizona can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine. Those without computer access or needing extra help registering can call 1-844-542-8201, staffed through support from the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, the Banner Health Poison and Drug Information Center, and Crisis Response Network’s 211 Arizona program.
In addition, individuals creating an account on podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ can schedule an appointment on behalf of relatives or dependents through that account, which is recommended for those with older family members or family without access to a computer. Those scheduled for vaccination will need to show identification upon arrival to the vaccination site demonstrating they qualify for phases 1A or priority 1B.
The State Farm Stadium site opens this afternoon for select law enforcement and other protective service workers, with broad appointment availability beginning Tuesday.
The State Farm Stadium vaccination site complements the ongoing efforts of counties by adding another location in the Phoenix metropolitan area. With Maricopa County having moved to Phase 1B, those prioritized for vaccine will be able to register for appointments at the State Farm Stadium vaccination site as well as other county sites listed at azhealth.gov/findvaccine, which lists each county’s phase and has local links to register for vaccination.
The state has more than 160 vaccination sites, and that number is expanding steadily as the federal government makes more vaccine doses available to the state. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program has conducted vaccination visits at nearly 80 skilled nursing facilities with dozens more scheduled through the end of the month.
More than 300 volunteers with Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona will provide 24/7 staffing, while the Arizona Cardinals have provided the facility, tents, technical assistance, and other critical support. ADHS has contracted with Walgreens to provide pharmacy support and ASU to provide logistical support and additional staffing, supplies, and resources.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccination, please visit azhealth.gov/COVID19vaccine.
For more information about how to schedule an appointment through https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/, including how to schedule an appointment.
Governor Ducey Announces $65 Million From CDC For Vaccine Rollout
Governor Doug Ducey today announced Arizona is receiving $65,769,416 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support COVID-19 vaccine clinics and strengthen vaccine confidence and community engagement.
“We want to get Arizonans vaccinated as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible,” said Governor Ducey. “There’s no time to waste. COVID-19 is spreading, our medical professionals are working around the clock, and Arizonans who want the vaccine deserve to get it without delay. The funding from the CDC will help amp up vaccine distribution, reach communities in need, and protect Arizonans from the virus. My thanks to the CDC for the continued support, and to our medical professionals and frontline workers who continue to step up and help others.”
The CDC funding will be used to get more Arizonans vaccinated quickly and safely, including:
- Connecting with communities that may face difficulties reaching a vaccine site;
- Engaging with communities that have low confidence in vaccines;
- Ensuring high-quality, safe and equitable vaccine distribution;
- Developing community engagement strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination efforts;
- Supporting high vaccination uptake in tribal nations; and more.
“Today’s funding from the CDC will further help Arizona get more people vaccinated and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ. “We have worked hard to make sure medical professionals, those in congregate settings, and other vulnerable individuals get vaccinated, and we are thrilled to use this funding to strengthen our efforts. My thanks to the CDC for supporting our efforts in Arizona.”
To date, 123,862 Arizonans have received the COVID-19 vaccine, with 2,127 fully vaccinated. In total, over 126,000 vaccinations have been administered in Arizona. Gila and Pinal Counties have moved to phase 1B of vaccine distribution, meaning protective services workers, teachers, child care workers, and those 75 and older are now prioritized for vaccination in those counties.
On December 30, Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order to rapidly expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine by streamlining distribution throughout Arizona and establishing additional vaccination sites.
For COVID-19 information and updates, visit azhealth.gov