Arizona Gov. Ducey bans government-mandated ‘vaccine passports’
Apr 19, 2021, 10:29 AM | Updated: 2:56 pm
REVIV USA West Coast Operations Manager Kari Armamento uses a cell phone and an iPad to demonstrate the HELIIX Health Passport at REVIV at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on April 7, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday issued an executive order barring government-mandated “vaccine passports” in the state.
Under the order, state and local agencies and jurisdictions are not allowed to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter government facilities or receive services.
“The residents of our state should not be required by the government to share their private medical information,” Ducey said in a press release.
“While we strongly recommend all Arizonans get the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not mandated in our state — and it never will be. Vaccination is up to each individual, not the government.”
Businesses that contract with the state are also banned from requiring proof of vaccination.
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The order does not apply to other private businesses and health care facilities.
Schools and child care centers are also exempt and can require vaccine documentation as previously permitted under state law.
The order will remain active as long as the state’s public health emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic is in effect.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported Monday morning that 4,495,519 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, with 2,736,235 people (38.1% of the state’s population) having received at least one shot and 1,926,181 people fully vaccinated.
All adults across Arizona are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, with the minimum age at 16 for the Pfizer shot and 18 for other approved versions.
“Appointments to get the vaccine will continue to be available to everyone who wants it, especially for underserved and vulnerable communities,” Ducey said in the release. “Statewide, more than 20,000 vaccination appointments are available, including more than 5,000 in Tucson alone.”
For details about statewide vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine-finder page showing locations and registration information.
The following week’s worth of appointments for mass vaccination sites run by the state, which use the Pfizer vaccine, are released every Friday at 11 a.m. Appointments can be booked online at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ or by calling 844-542-8201.
