PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Health officials say those 55 and older will now be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a statement, officials are calling the agreement a “hybrid approach” that will allow people over 55 to take pictures alongside essential frontline workers.
The hybrid approach was launched on March 1 in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The AZDHS says that 90% of deaths in the state by COVID-19 occurred among people aged 55 and over. 65% of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 are in this age group.
“The new hybrid approach will ensure the distribution of vaccine doses to individuals at high risk for serious outcomes, including hospitalization and death, of COVID-19 due to age, allowing local health departments to prioritize essential frontline workers through through employer-based vaccination strategies, “read a part of the statement.
Information on the vaccination phase of each county today, the number of doses requested by each county and the location of vaccination sites can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine.
On March 2 at noon, AZDHS will open 50,000 vaccination appointments at State Farm Stadium in Glendale and Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
As for vaccination of essential workers, Dr. Cara Christ with AZDHS said on March 1 that it is up to the counties to determine who falls under the category of essential workers to be able to receive the vaccination.
Those who fall into the category of essential workers include food and agricultural workers, transit and postal workers, airlines, transportation and grocery workers.
Gila County is already vaccinating the general population
1 Arizona County is already vaccinating the general population
Since many counties in Arizona are still vaccinating the very elderly or some essential workers, a county east of Phoenix is already vaccinating the general population.
Meanwhile, there is a county in Arizona that is already vaccinating the general population.
So far, in Gila County, about 16,000 doses of coronavirus vaccination have been administered, and about 38% of the population is already vaccinated.
County deputy director of public health Josh Beck says that with the Johnson & Johnson vaccination arriving in Arizona, he expects that number to increase.
“I think that, given the option, these extra options will help go from 40%, 50% to 60% to 70% or more,” said Beck.
The decision by Gila County to allow the general population to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is based on the county’s POD vaccination numbers.
“We opened to 65 and older, and it was a POD of 2,000 people and we didn’t have enough people to register for it, so at that point we opened the county field at least that POD to anyone in the general population for that weekend “said Beck.
In a few weeks, it will be even easier for those living in the county to get the vaccine.
“As soon as we complete our second dose of drive-thru clinics, which is in about 30 days, we will transition to any of our healthcare partners for any resident who wants an injection,” said Michael O’Driscoll, Director of Health and Gila County Emergency Management.
Only residents of Gila County can be vaccinated by the county. State-run PODs are the only places that offer vaccination to those who qualify, regardless of where they live.
How to register and schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
To protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or cloth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth cover for your face when you are around other people
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Monitor your health daily
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