Syringes containing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are on a tray in a vaccination room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, California, Thursday, January 7, 2021. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
PHOENIX – Metro Phoenix is expected to move to the initial stage of phase 1B of distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine next week.
As the supply of doses has been limited, health authorities are following priority plans designed to ensure efficient and fair distribution.
Maricopa County began administering vaccines on December 16 to people in phase 1A. On Friday morning, the county said it had completed 68,892 doses.
So far, vaccines developed by Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna have obtained federal approval for emergency use. Both require two injections at intervals of several weeks for full effectiveness.
Phase 1A priority for the Phoenix area was set to end on Sunday. This group includes frontline health professionals, emergency medical service workers and employees and residents in long-term care facilities.
Four counties in Arizona – Gila, Pinal, Apache and Mohave – are already in phase 1B. Yuma County said it would move to 1B on Monday, while Pima County intended to reach the end of next week.
Here’s what we know about moving Maricopa County to Phase 1B:
- Appointments will be required and places will be limited. The online scheduling system 1B will be activated at 6am on Monday. Information on how to register will be posted here at that time, the county said.
- Phase 1B includes two levels. Only groups at the priority level – K-12 school staff and childcare workers, police and protective services staff and adults aged 75 and over – will be eligible to register on Monday.
- Initially, Phase 1B photos will be given only at the five distribution points established in the county, in addition to a new 24-hour location at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Reservations will be limited to time intervals not yet reserved for people in Phase 1A obtaining their second photos.
- People in 1A will still be allowed to register during phase 1B, but will no longer have priority over other eligible populations.
- Eventually, the county anticipates adding more options for groups eligible to receive injections, which may include pharmacies and employer-based vaccination events.
- There is no timetable for when the rest of phase 1B – adults living in crowded environments and workers classified as essential – or subsequent phases will become eligible for vaccination.