More Arizonans are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as the state adjusts its rollout to open up age-based categories. The 55-year-olds and older are now licensed in some locations in the state, with other parts of the state expected to follow soon.
Appointments can be capped until the state receives enough vaccine doses from the federal government to assign the doses to a variety of locations.
We know how to register for your shot.
To find a suitable location near you, visit the state Vaccine Finder website. You’ll see locations across the country where the vaccine is currently available, as well as information about who is eligible and how to register at each location.
Walgreens isCOVID-19 vaccines are offered to individuals in eligible populations at some Arizona locations. Appointments can be made at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine. Eligible individuals can call their local pharmacy, but waiting times can be significant.Other pharmacy chains also offer limited vaccine appointments based on the offer.
Eventscan also be booked at state PODs such as State Farm and Phoenix Municipal Stadiums (if slots are available) and other locations across the state through the state registration website.
Those who need technical support for the registration website can call 602-542-1000.
Reply:Why can’t I register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment now?
Individuals without internet access or need help registering for an appointment can call the state COVID-19 hotline at 844-542-8201. The state says it rolled up the call center to meet demand from people calling to make appointments.
Organizations are also working to help seniors register for vaccination spots.
For additional locations in Maricopa County, please visit the county’s vaccine website. There you will find information on how to register for appointments at locations such as bulk locations, pharmacies, and clinics throughout the valley. The county also organizes pop-up vaccine events to vaccinate target groups.
For more information on eligibility and local vaccination sites, please contact your county or their website.
Some districts display local vaccination centers and have country-specific registration systems or call-in lines.
There may still be limited dates. More vaccination sites and appointments will be available when the state receives more doses and allocates them to counties, vendors and pharmacies.
Eventually, according to the state, up to 800 pharmacies across the state will be offering admissions.
Who can get the vaccine now?
Currently, only eligible people who have pre-set appointments can receive the vaccine.
Counties can be in different phases at different times, and the state indicates where the counties are each day. Most districts vaccinated the so-called prioritized phase 1B or the full phase 1B from March 1, while people in phase 1A could still be vaccinated.
Phase 1A includes healthcare workers and healthcare support professions. Rescue workers; and long-term care facility staff and residents.
The prioritized phase 1B includes employees in the areas of education and childcare. Protection services professions (law enforcement officers, correction officers, etc.); Adults 75 and older; remaining 1A individuals; and adults 65 and over in most counties.
The remainder of Phase 1B includes essential services and critical industrial workers. Adults with high risk conditions in congregation environments; and remaining 1A and prioritized 1B individuals.
Who will be eligible for the vaccine next?
The state announced on March 1 that it would do away with the numbered phases and instead switch to a hybrid age-based distribution model, starting with vaccinating people aged 55 and over at its two state-run vaccination sites in Maricopa County – State Farm Stadium in Glendale and Phoenix Municipal Stadium .
It is expected that other locations and counties will gradually move into the age-based system. Once 55% of people in a given age group have received at least one vaccine dose, the jurisdiction will move to the next age group. The next age group is the 45 year olds and older.
The age-based system will be a more efficient way to reach Arizonans with serious health issues that were not earmarked until Phase 1C of the vaccination rollout, said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health, told The Arizona Republic.
“If we look at Arizonans with chronic illness, if we go down to 55 and above, we’ll cover about 56% to 66% of all Arizona citizens with chronic illness,” Christ said.
“At 45 and above, we believe we’ll cover 68% to 79% of all Arizona residents with chronic illnesses. … So we’re going to go through those with chronic illnesses sooner than if we had waited until we got down to any major one Workers finished because that was a big group. “
At the same time, the state will work with employers of key frontline workers, such as people who work in restaurants and grocery stores, to expedite the vaccination process for them as their jobs are at high risk of exposure, said.
“Right now there are people who go to work every day and have to interact with the public. That’s something we talk to the counties about,” said Christ. “The unique part is the hybrid. Connecticut has moved to a purely age-based (rollout). … We’re doing another part that focuses on our key people.”
The state’s Vaccines and Antiviral Prioritization Advisory Board has unanimously decided to change the rollout based on feedback from counties and other vaccine partners, Christ said.
With an age-based approach, those who are vaccinated just have to prove their age and counties don’t have to worry about getting records of occupations or medical conditions, she said.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Comments are closed.