Ducey signs order to ensure Arizonans receive coronavirus vaccine for free
Dec 2, 2020, 4:21 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2020, 7:36 am
PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order at a press conference Wednesday to ensure the coronavirus vaccine will be free to anyone who wants one when it becomes available later this month.
Ducey also announced plans to direct Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ and her team to prioritize health care workers and teachers to be among the first to receive the vaccine.
“We know that teachers desperately want to get back into their classrooms safely,” Ducey said. “Teachers are essential to our state so under our plan they will be prioritized along with our frontline healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, hospital staff, long-term care and of course our most vulnerable.”
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Arizona is expected to receive doses of the coronavirus vaccine in mid to late December where distribution will immediately begin. Additional shipments are expected in the following weeks as vaccine companies continue to produce additional doses.
Ducey said he met with leaders of insurance companies across the state on Tuesday where they agreed the vaccine should be free.
“These vaccinations are our road back to a normal life, a safe life where we are protected and our loved ones are protected,” Ducey said.
Christ is expected to provide updated details about the vaccination plan at a later day.
The updates on the coronavirus vaccine distribution comes as coronavirus cases continue to steadily climb in Arizona.
On Wednesday, Arizona health officials reported 3,840 new coronavirus cases and 52 deaths, bringing the documented totals 340,979 COVID-19 infections and 6,739 fatalities.
