News Release For Immediate Release: Jan. 18, 2021
Media Contact: Steve Elliott
Email: pio@azdhs.gov Registration opens tomorrow for more appointments at two state COVID-19 vaccination sites
PHOENIX ‒ In a major step forward as the state increases the pace of COVID-19 vaccination, prioritized Arizonans will be able to register starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, for February appointments at two state-run sites. Initial appointments are limited based on vaccine supply, with appointments opening up depending on distribution of the vaccine by the federal government. More than 281,000 doses of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine have been administered so far to 243,593 Arizonans, including 32,269 who have received both doses. "With these vaccine sites, Arizona is accelerating the pace of vaccine distribution. It's a model that's already being replicated by other states to get vaccine doses out of freezers and to Americans who need them," said Governor Doug Ducey. "Arizona has dramatically increased the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the last week, and other states are calling to request our site plan and playbook. We're working with our federal and county partners to get more doses and open more vaccine sites." "We anticipate very high demand for these appointments. When they are filled, we will continue working tirelessly to secure more vaccine doses and open up more appointments," said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). "The number of vaccine doses the federal government has provided to Arizona is limited. Our main barrier right now to providing even more capacity is the availability of vaccine nationally. As our State Farm Stadium site has shown, with nearly 35,000 people vaccinated already, we are ready to scale up and vaccinate even more people." The list of those eligible to register for appointments will include those 65 and older, lowering the minimum age requirement from 75. That gives another 750,000 vulnerable Arizonans the opportunity to be vaccinated in prioritized Phase 1B. While the two state-run sites will vaccinate those 65 and older, Arizonans should check whether their counties have opened vaccination to this group before attempting to register at other sites around the state. In addition to the state's 24/7 vaccination site at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, a second site, operating during daylight hours, will launch on Monday, Feb. 1, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium near Arizona State University's Tempe campus. Governor Ducey and ADHS have taken other steps over the past week to dramatically expand vaccination capacity: - The State Farm Stadium site will continue to operate at full capacity through the end of February providing Pfizer vaccine.
- County health departments across the state are also working to expand appointment availability at their sites.
- Arizona has activated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Retail Pharmacy Program which will add up to 100 pharmacy stores providing vaccine over the next few weeks. When the program is fully activated, more than 800 pharmacies will have COVID-19 vaccine available in Arizona.
- There are over 200 vaccination sites statewide that have received vaccine, including 45 Community Health Centers.
ADHS is opening the new vaccine site at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in partnership with Arizona State University and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. This site will be open during daytime hours. The number of appointments available at the site will depend on the number of vaccine doses available at that time. Registration for this new site opens on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. The biggest limiting factor on appointments is the limited supply of vaccine doses. Arizona receives weekly allocations from the federal government, which determines how many vaccine doses the state has and how many appointments can be offered. Arizona will continue to add additional vaccine sites as more vaccine is allocated to Arizona, including community health centers and pharmacies. ADHS is putting out all of the doses Arizona receives from the federal government for administration at these state sites, county sites, medical facilities, and long-term care facilities, such as Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities. The CDC's Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care with CVS and Walgreens is allocated vaccine doses to vaccinate the residents and staff of long term care facilities enrolled in the program. Groups prioritized to date include: frontline healthcare workers, emergency services workers, and residents and staff at long-term care facilities (in Phase 1A): and protective services workers; K-12, university, and community college educators; childcare workers; and adults 75 and older (prioritized Phase 1B). As of Tuesday, Jan. 19, an estimated 750,000 additional Arizonans 65 and older will be eligible to register for a vaccination appointment. Each county's current vaccine phase is listed on our website, which is updated daily. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 19, those in groups prioritized for vaccination can register for available appointments at State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium at 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 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 in a prioritized group, such as someone 65 and older. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination, please visit azdhs.gov/COVID19Vaccines. # # # | 
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