PHOENIX – An order for 300,000 additional COVID-19 vaccines from the Arizona Department of Health Services was denied by the federal government on Saturday, as the state passed the 400,000 vaccine mark administered this week.
“We are putting more and more doses into the arms of Arizonans,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “The success of our State Farm Stadium vaccination site made it clear that Arizona can manage efficiently and effectively [the] vaccine in large numbers. Now the federal government has to step up its game and provide additional vaccine to support Arizona’s proven momentum. “
The health department said the state, counties and tribal governments were able to order just 169,000 doses after the application was denied.
“Our message to our federal partners is simple: give Arizona more vaccine and we will make good use of it,” said Dr. Christ. “We have significant capacity available to expand where the vaccine is offered, make more consultations available and move forward in protecting our vulnerable populations.”
On Saturday morning, ADHS confirmed that 412,320 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to Arizonans so far.
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On Friday, the director of ADHS, Dr. Cara Christ, said that she had been advocating for more vaccines from the federal government, saying: “We work closely with some of the HHS and FEMA career professionals.”
The health department said the milestone was reached three days after passing 300,000 vaccines administered, including more than 63,000 doses delivered at State Farm Stadium, a 24/7 vaccination site that became available on 11 November. January.