Biden, Harris praise Arizona COVID-19 vaccine site during virtual tour

PHOENIX — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held up the State Farm Stadium mass vaccination site in Glendale as a model for others to follow during a virtual tour of the facility on Monday afternoon.

As the new administration pursues its goal of 100 million doses administered in its first 100 days, the president and vice president praised the state-run site for its ambition and efficiency.

“I just want to thank you for your dedication,” Biden told Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, during the approximately 40-minute tour. “You’re saving people’s lives, short term and long term, so thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting you one day.”

Christ hosted the livestreamed event, providing an overview of the operation and answering questions from Biden and Harris. A nurse who works at the site and other officials also participated.

ADHS Director Dr. Christ highlights the #COVID19 vaccination site at @StateFarmStdm with @POTUS @JoeBiden and @VP @KamalaHarris. https://t.co/MJdpZvDg6A pic.twitter.com/OY5OhvDWvw

— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) February 8, 2021

Biden told Christ to expect a call from the NFL, which has offered to turn all of its stadiums into vaccination sites now that the season is over.

“I think they’re going to be coming to you to look at how you did it because you’re doing such a great job,” he said.

Christ told her guests that State Farm Stadium is averaging 8,000-9,000 shots per day but could do up to 12,000 if it had a greater vaccine supply.

Biden pledged federal support for staffing and funding for Arizona’s efforts. He noted that on Sunday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the state $20M for its COVID-19 response, including vaccinations.

Leading up the Monday’s tour, Arizona officials have been touting the operation as a success story. Last week the state launched a second mass vaccination site at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Christ said Monday a third state-run location, the first in Pima County, was in the works.

State officials have been pressing federal authorities to increase the state’s weekly allocation by 300,000 doses. There was no mention of a specific vaccine increase during the virtual tour, but Biden implied that the supply situation was improving nationwide.

Of his 100 million-does goal, Biden told Christ, “We found out we didn’t quite have the supply of vaccine we thought initially, we’re all set now, we’re exceeding that number because of folks like you who are dedicated.”

Follow @kstonezone