Christ expects state-run vaccination sites to close by end of June

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top public health official said Monday its state-run mass vaccination sites will likely close by the end of June.

Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said vaccine supply is catching up with demand, which will lead to a lesser need for large sites.

About 18,000 appointments for this week were still available at state PODs despite availability opening up more than 72 hours ago, according to Christ.

“If we have no demand, it’s not going to make sense to staff and run these major sites, so we will be watching it through May and hopefully wrapping up by the end of June,” Christ said during a press conference.

Christ said the state is already monitoring the need for the sites, which have been transitioning to indoor locations to combat rising temperatures.

Arizona has five state-run vaccine sites with a sixth at the University Union Fieldhouse at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff opening on April 19. The state’s seventh will open April 22 at WestWorld in Scottsdale.

Christ said no particular sites have a heavy contribution to the open spots.

As of Monday morning, more than 4.1 million vaccine doses had been administered in Arizona, with nearly 1.2 million of them from state-run sites.

“We do have appointments all over the state that are available, Christ said.

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