Pima County to join rest of Arizona by expanding vaccine eligibility

PHOENIX – Pima County announced Friday it will open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults next week, an expansion already implemented in Arizona’s other 14 counties.

Pima County residents age 16 and older already were allowed to get vaccinated at the state-run site at the University of Arizona.

But you had to be at least 55 years old or be among certain prioritized groups to sign up at county-run sites or other Tucson-area vaccine providers. That will change Monday at 8 a.m.

“We have made great progress in vaccinating those groups and are continuing our efforts to ensure that vulnerable and at-risk populations have access to the vaccine as well,” Dr. Theresa Cullen, Pima County Health Department director, said in a press release.

“With vaccine availability increasing in the county, it’s the right time to expand and have the same eligibility requirements no matter where you want to get your shot.”

Come Monday, the only eligibility limits across Arizona will be based on the ages approved for use. The minimum for sites using the Pfizer vaccine is 16, and it’s 18 for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson versions.

Pima County operates three large points of dispensing — Banner-South Kino Stadium, Tucson Medical Center and Tucson Convention Center – and is debuting a smaller walk-in POD with onsite registration Monday at El Pueblo Center (101 W. Irvington Rd.).

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