PHOENIX – Adults aged 65 and over will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Maricopa County as of Monday, February 15.
County health officials announced on Thursday that they are expanding eligibility, as nearly 50% of people 75 and older have already received at least one dose of the vaccine.
RELATED: On Thursday, ADHS reported 1,861 new cases of COVID-19 and 200 additional deaths.
On Monday, all vaccine sites in Maricopa County will begin administering doses to people 65 and older.
The decision is in line with the federal pharmaceutical vaccine program scheduled to begin later this week, which will take the vaccine to 182 pharmacies in Maricopa County.
“The data shows that our decision to provide older adults with a little extra time to access the vaccine was successful and now is the right time to invite our residents aged 65 and over to get vaccinated,” he said. Marcy Flanagan, director of the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health estimates that there are almost 400,000 adults aged 65 to 74 who will be eligible for the vaccine in Maricopa County.
According to the latest data available from Maricopa County health authorities, nearly 430,000, or 12%, of residents have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 120,000 residents of Maricopa County, about one in four people who received at least one dose, were fully vaccinated with two doses.
MCDPH is scheduling vaccines when and where it is convenient for people.
Efforts include: creating five regional drive-through locations across the county, then adding a sixth location and more central locations close to public transport with an option for those without their own vehicles.