Christ says state-run COVID-19 vaccine sites could start taking walk-ins

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top public health official said Thursday state-run COVID-19 vaccine sites could start taking walk-ins as demand continues to decrease.

“Many of the state sites you would be able to find a same-day appointment,” Dr. Cara Christ told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News. “We are going to look at taking walk-ins at some of these sites as well.”

Appointments at Arizona’s state-run sites haven’t been filling up as quickly since eligibility opened to all adults in late March.

About 30,000 for this week were available as of Monday, according to the Arizona Department of Heath Services.

Those appointments were released Friday at 11 a.m., as is customary since eligibility increased.

“We are starting to see our demand drop off. So our supply now is meeting our demand,” Christ said. “There is plenty of vaccine for whoever wants it.”

Christ said the state is still vaccinating thousands of people per day, so sending doses to other states isn’t a viable option as of yet.

All of the state’s mass vaccination sites will be indoors starting Friday, another factor that could lead to walk-ins.

“We are hearing that people actually are getting through our indoor sites a little bit faster because we have the availability to move people without having to deal with the cars, so people are in and out relatively quickly,” Christ said. “As we continue to work on our sites, they’ll get even more efficient.”

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