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Governor Attends CP Technologies Grand Opening In Prescott

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CP Technologies manufactures computer hardware for military contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.

Governor Doug Ducey today welcomed a new manufacturing company to Arizona by traveling to Prescott for the grand opening of its new headquarters after relocating from California.

CP Technologies is expected to create more than 200 jobs over the next two years and have additional economic impacts on Yavapai County.

“Arizona’s manufacturers produce vital resources for a variety of industries and create thousands of jobs in the state,” said Governor Ducey. “CP Technologies could have chosen anywhere in the country, and they chose Arizona. They are just one of the many manufacturers choosing our state for our skilled workforce and pro-business environment. My thanks to Mike McCormack, and everyone else who worked on this project to help bring CP Technologies to Arizona.”

The Governor toured the 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with CP Technologies CEO and President Mike McCormack, Board Chairman Eitan Tchwella and other industry leaders.

CP Technologies manufactures computer hardware for military contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. It is just one of the many manufacturing facilities in Arizona helping to create an ecosystem where manufacturers and suppliers can come together to build the technologies of the future.

“Arizona’s defense contractors and military installations have long made Arizona a critical player in our nation’s defense. It’s a role we’re very proud of,” the Governor said.

Other companies including ElectraMeccanica, Intel, TSMC, Lucid Motors, and Nikola have all made recent developments in the state.

Governor Ducey also toured the new terminal at Prescott Regional Airport with Mayor Mengarelli, Airport Director Robin Sobotta, and CEO of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce Sheri Heiney.

Prescott Regional Airport terminal opened on March 31, and has more space for passengers, security, and airline operations. Arizona’s FY20 budget included $1M from the State Aviation Fund for the Prescott Airport. The City of Prescott also received a $10 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to construct a new terminal building.

Governor Ducey Signs Historic Water Protection Legislation

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We don’t need to rely on the federal government to tell us how to regulate our waters.

Governor Doug Ducey today signed legislation to ensure clean water in nearly 800 Arizona streams, lakes and rivers that are critical for drinking, fishing and recreation.

“Living in the desert, the value of water is something we in Arizona know well, and we have taken great steps to protect it, including the Groundwater Management Act and the Drought Contingency Plan,” said Governor Ducey. “But just having water is not enough. We need to ensure our water supplies are clean and safe. That’s why I signed into law another landmark Arizona water protection bill — the Surface Water Protection Program providing protections for nearly 800 Arizona streams, lakes, and rivers.”

House Bill (HB) 2691 implements the Arizona Surface Water Protection Program by creating a list of rivers, streams, and lakes used for drinking, recreation and fishing that are protected from harmful discharge of any pollutant. Specifically, the legislation:

  • Preserves important water quality safeguards and provides clarity and consistency to the regulated community;
  • Promotes transparency by providing a defined list of protected Arizona waters that will be protected through a permitting program, as well as Geographic Information System map functionality, on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) website; and
  • Provides an opportunity to develop meaningful and impactful best management practices that will protect these important waterways.

“This legislation protects and regulates discharges into Arizona surface waters that are used for drinking water sources, fishing, swimming and other recreational activities,” said Representative Gail Griffin, who sponsored the legislation, of Legislative District 14. “We don’t need to rely on the federal government to tell us how to regulate our waters. We have taken this important responsibility that requires best management practices to ensure that discharges do not cause violations in water quality standards.”

“With this legislation Arizona will protect its most important waters that are not currently regulated by the federal government in a streamlined and locally responsive way,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera.

Governor Ducey applauded the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s 2020 decision to improve the federal Clean Water Act and committed that Arizona welcomes the need to protect state surface waters. Unlike previous federal efforts to regulate every dry ditch in the desert, Arizona focused on protecting actual waters with tools specific to Arizona.

As Governor Ducey wrote on Inauguration Day, Washington, D.C. should take note of what is happening in the states across the country. When it comes to protecting water, Arizona is leading by example.

HB 2691 is the first Arizona-specific water quality protection bill enacted since the Aquifer Protection Permit program in 1991, and together, these two programs will serve to protect the quality of both Arizona’s surface and groundwater resources.

More information on the Surface Water Protection Program, including the draft list of protected waters is available on ADEQ’s website.

Governor Ducey Signs Legislation To Dramatically Expand Telehealth

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New Arizona Law Will Be Broadest In The Nation.

Governor Doug Ducey today signed legislation to dramatically expand telemedicine in Arizona and provide greater opportunities for accessible medical services, fulfilling a priority of his 2021 State of the State Address.

“Ensuring Arizonans have access to safe and reliable medical services is a top priority,” said Governor Ducey. “Telehealth expands access to medical services for low-income families and those living in rural areas, protects vulnerable populations, and allows snowbirds visiting our state to receive telemedicine from their home state. Patients and medical professionals know what’s best for their needs, and we’re working to make sure they have access to those services. I’m grateful to Representative Regina Cobb for sponsoring House Bill 2454, and to the legislators and medical professionals who supported it.”House Bill 2454 puts Arizona at the national forefront of telemedicine. It expands access to telemedicine for patients, ensures doctors receive equal compensation from insurance companies for telemedicine services, and allows out-of-state health care professionals to provide telemedicine in Arizona.

“Telehealth was an extremely valuable tool during the pandemic,” said Representative Cobb. “It’s helped Arizonans get in contact with health care providers, mental health specialists, speech therapists, and more from the safety of their home. HB 2454 will continue those efforts and ensure that those living in Arizona receive medical service in a safe and convenient manner.”

Under the bill, medical examinations in the worker’s compensation space can also be conducted via telehealth if all parties consent. It also prohibits healthcare boards from enforcing any rule that requires a patient to visit in-person before being prescribed most medications.

“HB 2454 is a win for physicians and patients alike,” said Arizona Medical Association President Dr. Miriam Anand. “Every patient deserves access to the appropriate care needed to treat their medical conditions. HB 2454 will break down unnecessary barriers to telehealth and help facilitate the delivery of high-quality care to patients across Arizona.”

HB 2454 also requires medical insurers to provide payment parity for telehealth services using audio and visual features, and allows health care providers who are licensed in other states to provide telehealth services into Arizona under certain conditions.

“Telehealth has played a crucial role during the pandemic by providing our patients with continued access to health care,” said Dignity Health Arizona Division President and CEO Linda Hunt. “This new legislation will provide Arizonans, including those residing in rural parts of the state where health care options are limited, with expanded access to care.”

HB 2454 will make telemedicine services provided to Arizonans through the Governor’s Executive Order last March permanent. This order required health care insurance companies to expand telemedicine coverage for all services that would normally be covered for an in-person visit, and was instituted to ensure that Arizonans who may be sick or under quarantine could access care from their homes and avoid potentially risky trips to a health care provider.

“On behalf of Phoenix Children’s and our patient families, I would like to thank the Governor and Representative Cobb for their leadership on this important piece of legislation to expand telehealth for Arizona’s children,” said Phoenix Children’s Medical Group Physician-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Jared Muenzer. “Telehealth is a proven tool for connecting children with their clinical teams, improving access to medical and behavioral health care, driving quality outcomes, and giving our Phoenix Children’s patients the hope and healing they need, right in their own homes.”

Telemedicine in Arizona has gained local appreciation. An article from the Arizona Capitol Times on April 2 recognized efforts by state legislators to increase telehealth and covered benefits of telemedicine including its accessibility, affordability and convenience.

“Telehealth has proven to be an invaluable aspect of delivering behavioral and integrated health service to individuals and families that would not have received those services otherwise during the pandemic,” said Touchstone Health Services CEO Eddy D. Broadway. “We are so excited and pleased that telehealth is now a permanent aspect of the service delivery system and will definitely benefit members that we serve — a real game changer.”

On April 20, AZ Big Media published a story on the future of telehealth post-pandemic, and its benefits to health care workers and their patients.

Arizona’s telemedicine efforts have also gained national attention. The Washington Examiner on February 24 published a story highlighting the legislation and recognizing Governor Ducey’s work to cut red tape, stating:

“Ducey’s administration has long championed regulatory flexibility that’s the first of its kind, from universal licensing recognition, which allowed people from all over to move to Arizona and work, to making Arizona the first state in America to have a FinTech sandbox program that allows businesses to launch products on a limited scale without certain regulatory burdens. Implementing this bill would continue that trend.”

The legislation goes into effect immediately and covers three 2020 Executive Orders issued by Governor Ducey to expand telehealth, so the Governor today rescinded those Orders. View today’s Executive Order HERE.

Ducey Signs Legislation To Protect Arizonans From Frivolous Lawsuits

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“Small businesses need certainty under the law that if they act in good faith, they’ll be protected from frivolous lawsuits,” said Senator Leach.

Governor Doug Ducey today signed legislation to ensure Arizonans acting in good faith during the COVID-19 pandemic are protected against frivolous civil claims.

Health care professionals, businesses, schools, nonprofits, governments, religious institutions, and property owners are among the entities to which the legislation applies.

“Arizona’s health care professionals and others on the front lines have worked day and night this last year to protect sick individuals and vulnerable populations,” said Governor Ducey. “We have taken steps to protect both health care heroes and vulnerable Arizonans during the pandemic, and today’s legislation strengthens those protections. My thanks to Senator Vince Leach for leading on this bill.”

Senate Bill (SB) 1377, sponsored by Senator Leach, fulfills a State of the State priority of the Governor’s to protect Arizonans from “frivolous lawsuits.” It provides the legal framework for when a liability claim can be brought in relation to COVID-19 while still ensuring that claims based on gross negligence and wilful misconduct can be heard.

The legislation applies during the current public health pandemic and protects health care institutions and other service providers for any act or omission that is alleged to have occurred during a person’s screening, assessment or treatment that is related to the health emergency. Providers include educational institutions, school districts or charter schools, property owners, lessees and lessors, nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, the State and local governments, health care providers and institutions, and nursing and residential care facilities.

The legislation also provides a presumption for health professionals or health care institutions that they have acted in good faith if they relied on and reasonably attempted to comply with applicable published guidance, while also ensuring that such a presumption can be overcome if there is evidence of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

“Small businesses need certainty under the law that if they act in good faith, they’ll be protected from frivolous lawsuits,” said Senator Leach. “I’m grateful to the organizations and fellow legislators who supported Senate Bill 1377, and to Governor Ducey for signing this important legislation.”

The Governor on April 9, 2020 issued an Executive Order to help boost medical staffing levels and provide certainty and “Good Samaritan” liability protections to health care professionals serving on the front lines. The order provides protections to health care professionals treating patients during the COVID-19 health emergency, while also protecting patients against negligence or reckless misconduct. The order was extended on June 25 and December 31, 2020. SB 1377 aligns with the Governor’s “Good Samaritan” protections.

As Cases Decline, Ducey Eases Restrictions On Elective Surgeries And Long-Term Care Facilities

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With nearly three and a half million vaccine doses administered across Arizona, we’re on track to fighting off the pandemic and returning to normal.

Governor Doug Ducey today rescinded three Executive Orders issued during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic:

“With nearly three and a half million vaccine doses administered across Arizona, we’re on track to fighting off the pandemic and returning to normal,” said Governor Ducey. “At the beginning of the pandemic, we took necessary measures to protect vulnerable populations and all Arizonans. Now the vaccine is out far and wide, and we have much better knowledge of the virus than we did before. I’m grateful to the hospitals, medical professionals and long-term care facilities that prioritized Arizonans’ safety, and I’m looking forward to scaling back on measures that are no longer needed.”

The Governor rescinded the following Executive Orders:

Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-10 on March 19, 2020 to temporarily halt non-essential or elective surgeries. On April 22, 2020, he issued an order resuming elective surgeries if certain criteria were met. With cases continuing to decline, today’s order provides hospitals with the flexibility to conduct elective surgeries.

The Governor issued Executive Order 2020-22 on April 7 to protect long-term care facility residents. Early in the pandemic, the state acted on the best available science and federal recommendations to institute rules to protect vulnerable residents of long-term care facilities. With vaccination efforts well underway, new guidelines from federal partners, and the input of the Arizona Task Force on Long-Term Care, Arizona is now able to roll back some of those limitations and help facilitate additional visitation as well as off-site visits for long-term care residents without the need for quarantine upon return.

View today’s Executive Order HERE.

Governor Ducey Announces Next Phase Of Business And Safety Protocols

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Occupancy Limits Expire, Distancing And Mask Protocols Remain.

Governor Doug Ducey today announced the next phase of COVID-19 mitigation.  With cases dropping in Arizona, and vaccine distribution underway, it’s still important to keep our guard up, and these protocols reflect that approach.

The announcement follows 7 weeks of declining cases in Arizona, and the distribution of more than 2 million vaccines.

The following changes are reflected in a new Executive Order from Governor Ducey:

  • For businesses, physical distancing and mask protocols will remain in place, however specific occupancy percentage limitations will expire. This applies to restaurants, gyms, theaters, water parks, bowling alleys, and bars providing dine in services.
  • Spring Training and Major League Sports will have the ability to operate upon submission and approval of a plan to the Arizona Department of Health Services that demonstrates implementation of safety precautions and physical distancing.
  • Mayors and local entities will still be precluded from implementing extreme measures that shut down businesses.

“We’ve learned a lot over the past year,” said Governor Ducey. “Our businesses have done an excellent job at responding to this pandemic in a safe and responsible way. We will always admire the sacrifice they and their employees have made and their vigilance to protect against the virus.

“Unlike other states, we never did a shutdown here in Arizona. We withstood the calls from the extremes on both sides, and we will continue to ignore them. We always knew that fighting this virus would be dependent on the personal responsibility of everyday Arizonans.

“Like the rest of the country, Arizona has made its way out of the winter surge of cases. And we are leading the nation in the vaccination roll out. Our mitigation strategies have been targeted and data driven.

“Today’s announcement is a measured approach; we are not in the clear yet. We need to continue practicing personal responsibility. Wear a mask. Social distance. Stay home when you’re sick and wash your hands frequently.

“With the vaccine rollout advancing rapidly, we continue to have hope for the future.”

View the Governor’s Executive Order HERE.

Governor Ducey Issues Executive Order Requiring Schools To Offer In-Person Learning

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Order Sets March 15 Deadline To Get Students “Back In The Classroom”.

Following discussions with public school leaders, and in accordance with new guidance from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor Doug Ducey today issued a new Executive Order returning schools to in-person, teacher-led instruction.

According to metrics developed by the CDC, 12 of Arizona’s 15 counties are in phases where all schools are safe to open, including in the state’s two largest counties, Maricopa and Pima.

“Arizona’s students need to be back in the classroom. More than half of Arizona’s schools are open and offering in-person options. More schools need to follow their lead, and pave the way for equitable education options for every Arizona student,” said Governor Ducey. “The CDC and numerous health officials have said time and time again that schools are safe and kids can go back to the classroom. We prioritized teachers in our vaccine distribution, and many have already received their second dose. The science is clear: it’s time all kids have the option to return to school so they can get back on track and we can close the achievement gap.”

Under the order, schools are to return to in-person learning by March 15, or after Spring Break. An exception is made for middle and high schools located in counties with “high” transmission of COVID-19, as defined by the CDC ⁠— which currently includes just three Arizona counties: Coconino, Yavapai, and Pinal. However, CDC is clear that there is a safe pathway for all schools to open at any transmission level, and to stay open if they implement proper mitigation strategies. A student may continue participating in virtual instruction if their parent or guardian chooses so.

The Governor’s order is being enthusiastically welcomed by champions of education in the Arizona state legislature.

“Arizona’s kids and families have undergone a tremendous amount of stress throughout the pandemic,” said Senator Paul Boyer of Glendale, Chairman of the Arizona Senate Education Committee.“I’m glad to see more students going back to the classroom, and today’s guidance from the Arizona Department of Health Services will help ensure families that are ready to send their kids back can do so.”

This sentiment is echoed by Mesa resident Representative Michelle Udall, Chairman of the House Education Committee.

“The data is clear — kids can go back to school,” she said. “Many students have fallen behind, especially those in low income communities. The Governor’s order will protect students’ needs, while following CDC guidance.”

Today’s order updates school reopening benchmarks developed and announced in August 2020, with the metrics recently developed by the CDC. The metrics define “low”, “moderate”, “substantial” and “high” transmission levels with operational strategies for schools to reopen at all transmission levels. The Arizona Department of Health Services released the latest county-by-county information based on the CDC metrics.

National Public Health Experts Agree

A recent report from the Journal of the American Medical Association note that schools are safe for students and faculty:

“As many schools have reopened for in-person instruction in some parts of the US as well as internationally, school-related cases of COVID-19 have been reported, but there has been little evidence that schools have contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission…

“In the fall of 2020, 11 school districts in North Carolina with more than 90,000 students and staff were open for in-person education for 9 weeks. During this time, within-school transmissions were very rare (32 infections acquired in schools; 773 community-acquired infections) and there were no cases of student-to-staff transmission.”

Prominent health officials also have consistently stated that students can go back to the classroom.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, said on February 3:

“There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated. Vaccinations of teachers is not a prerequisite for safely reopening schools.”

“I want to be very clear about schools, which is: Yes, ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) has put teachers in the 1b category, the category of essential workers,” she said. “But I also want to be clear that there is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated in order to reopen safely.”

Arizona included teachers in the 1B priority group for vaccination, meaning many have already received their second dose.

On January 28, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci said:

“It’s less likely for a child to get infected in the school setting than if they were just in the community.”

In November 2020, former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said:

“The truth is, for kids K-12, one of the safest places they can be from our perspective is to remain in school.”

The Arizona Department of Health Services’ web dashboard will be updated to reflect these new criteria, and will still share all relevant data. According to the CDC’s benchmarks, grades kindergarten through sixth should be open for hybrid learning, no matter the infection rate in the community. For middle and high school, the CDC also recommends hybrid in all Arizona counties. Under these criteria, schools must offer in-person learning.

View the updated CDC guidance HERE.

View the Governor’s Executive Order HERE.

Arizona To Add 325,000+ Jobs

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“Arizona is a place where opportunities are plentiful and jobs are growing.”

A new report released by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity is projecting strong job growth in the state over the next two years, with the largest gains happening in sectors hit hardest by the pandemic.

“Families and businesses from across the nation continue to choose Arizona, and it’s resulting in greater employment opportunities for existing residents and newcomers. Arizona is resilient — and these job projections prove it,” said Governor Doug Ducey.

According to the report, Arizona is expected to gain more than 325,000 jobs between spring 2020 and the same time next year, a 5.5 percent annualized growth rate. The report predicts job growth in all 15 counties and all sectors excluding government.

Arizona’s leisure and hospitality sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic, is expected to bounce back and experience a 12.8 percent annualized growth rate. That means adding 69,901 jobs — the fastest job growth rate of any sector included in the report. The report also notes Arizona’s manufacturing sector is projected to experience a 3.1 percent annualized growth rate, a gain of more than 10,000 jobs and more than 5,000 above pre-pandemic levels.

“In Arizona, jobs are available and employers are ready to hire,” said Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Interim President and CEO Garrick Taylor. “The projected growth over the next few years is a result of Arizona’s smart policies and welcoming business climate — and we need to keep it up. My thanks to Governor Ducey for focusing on job growth, supporting businesses, and protecting the workforce.”

The Office of Economic Opportunity is a division of the Arizona Commerce Authority, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary. In a recent guest opinion in the Arizona Republic, Phoenix business leaders noted that Arizona’s economic growth is the result of a focused effort over the past six years.

Arizona’s population grew by nearly 129,600 people from July 2019 to July 2020, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released in December 2020.

On February 12, Governor Ducey signed an Executive Order to renew a moratorium on all new regulatory rulemaking by state agencies, limiting government regulations that inhibit job growth. According to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, 462 rules were eliminated or improved across 26 agencies in 2020 — resulting in nearly $14.7 million in annual savings for the state’s economy.

Ducey Issues Executive Order To Ensure Students Stay On Track

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Governor Doug Ducey today signed an Executive Order directing the State Board of Education to study student assessment data and identify the learning loss that occurred during the pandemic so students and families can get the support they need.

The issuance of the order followed the Governor’s signing of House Bill (HB) 2402, which ensures students continue to be evaluated and provides flexibility around the state’s school grading system.

“This will ensure we continue to have accountability in our education system, so parents can make the best educational choice for their kids,” the Governor said in a signing letter.

“After all, these are our future leaders and it is incumbent upon us that we ensure they are prepared for success,” he added. “Any future attempts to suspend this grading system will necessitate a much greater level of justification.”

McKinsey & Company estimates that in Fall 2020, students on average started school about three months behind where they were expected to be in mathematics. When it comes to reading, students started school a month and a half behind where they were expected to be.

Today’s Executive Order directs the State Board of Education to utilize AZMerit and AZM2 assessments and other data to draw comparisons to prior years and identify the extent of learning loss that has occurred during the pandemic.

HB2402, introduced by Representative Michelle Udall, will help students get the help they need by continuing to test student educational attainment levels. It also provides flexibility around Arizona’s A-F grading system, recognizing the unique circumstances families and students have faced in the last year. Senator Paul Boyer introduced mirror legislation, SB1178, in the Senate.

View the Governor’s letter HERE.

View the Governor’s Executive Order HERE.

Governor Ducey Issues Advisory To Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

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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.