Here’s what you need to know about Arizona’s expanded vaccine eligibility
Mar 24, 2021, 4:45 AM | Updated: 9:23 am
Drive-thru tents are set up on the University of Arizona mall, the location of Tucson's only state-run mass vaccination site. (Photo by Chris Richards/UA News)
(Photo by Chris Richards/UA News)
PHOENIX – Arizona threw the doors open on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The age requirement dropped from 55 to as low as 16 for state-run vaccination sites and other metro Phoenix points of dispensing.
By 8:20 a.m., all of this week’s remaining appointments for state-operated sites were filled, the Arizona Department of Health Services said.
Here’s what we know about the eligibility expansion, registration process and timeline for when more appointments will be available:
What happened?
Citing a reduced demand and a rising vaccine supply, state officials made a surprise announcement Monday morning that it was basically making all adults eligible. Maricopa County followed suit later in the day.
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How do I sign up?
Appointments at the state’s five mass vaccination sites — State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, University of Arizona and Yuma Civic Center — can be made online at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ or by calling the 844-542-8201 registration hotline.
For other Valley availability, the Maricopa County Public Health website has a COVID-19 vaccine location finder with a map and list of pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics and pop-up distribution events along with links to the applicable registration pages.
Who can register where?
The minimum age is 16 for sites using the Pfizer vaccine and 18 for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each require two doses spaced several weeks apart, while Johnson & Johnson is the only single-shot version authorized for use in the U.S.
The brand varies by location, but all of the state-run sites use Pfizer. The Maricopa County location finder is sortable by vaccine type.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Insurance will handle the cost if you have coverage, but there’s no charge if you aren’t insured.
What if I missed my shot Wednesday?
More chances are on the way.
For the state-run sites, new appointments for first doses the following week are released every Friday at 11 a.m. This week’s batch will have another 80,000 spots, ADHS said.
In addition, spots can open at any time through any of the providers because of cancellations and additional vaccine deliveries, so check back through any of the registration methods whenever you have a chance and you might snag a shot.
