PHOENIX – On February 1, the COVID-19 test site at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium will become a massive vaccination site, but the deployment process in our state continues to see new challenges, while Arizonans await their chance for vaccine.
The transformation of the stadium is part of a plan to rapidly expand access to the vaccine across the state, but limited supply and venues are not making things simple.
“They are telling us, ‘just go on the website and get it’, and you go there … it’s a real task to find something,” said Henry Wall.
Wall is 77, lives in the East Valley and can get the vaccine. He spent hours and days searching online for an appointment, finally getting one that was not close to his home.
“I ended up having to go to a location in Surprise, which is about 45 miles away,” said Wall.
It is a testimony that highlights the need for more vaccine locations. On Thursday, the state announced that the Phoenix Municipal Stadium will put one on the air next month.
Dr. Cara Christ spoke about the effort on KTAR 92.3 FM on Thursday morning.
“We created a manual that can now be recreated in different locations now,” said Dr. Christ.
She says it also won’t be the last state-run POD site, with more sites in the works. To date, more than 200,000 people across the state have received the vaccine.
Pharmacies are also about to play an important role.
“We are bringing in 100 pharmacies in the coming weeks that will have doses available,” said Dr. Christ. “And we have another 800 ready to use when more vaccine arrives.”
State leaders on Wednesday opened up the distribution of vaccines to people 65 and older – big plans, but supplies are now limited. Many counties like Yuma and Pinal are not able to move on to this group until they get more. Maricopa County is in the same boat.
VACCINE UPDATE: Maricopa County is not opening vaccines for over 65 years until more vaccine is provided.
Maricopa County will continue to vaccinate priority groups 1A and 1B. (this includes 75+)
– Nicole Grigg (@NicoleSGrigg) January 14, 2021
“We will not be able to open up and expand to other groups until the vaccine is released,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director of Maricopa County Health.
However, the state-run sites will serve those over 65, opening hours for this group next Tuesday, at 9am. However, it will be the first for anyone in the group to get a chance in February.
“We heard that the federal government can release additional doses,” explained Dr. Sunenshine.
Maricopa County says that, until then, they are establishing more distribution sites dedicated to teachers and police. They also say that the Grand Canyon University site is scheduled to open next week and ready to do 500 vaccinations a day.
The Phoenix Union High School District also announced on Thursday that four campuses will be used to distribute the coronavirus vaccine to school officials in the district. Officials say the partnership with Maricopa County Public Health will take place over two days, where hundreds of teachers and staff are expected to inject.
The pods are being configured at:
Carl Hayden Community High School
Central High School
Cesar Chavez High School
Maryvale High School
The two-day event takes place on January 22nd and 23rd and a registration link for the event will be sent to all school staff.
But it all depends on the federal government fulfilling its promise to flood the states with vaccines in the coming weeks. And the clock is ticking.