Arizona increasing COVID-19 vaccine outreach targeting underserved areas

PHOENIX – Arizona public health officials are increasing their efforts to get adults and eligible kids in underserved areas vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Mass vaccination sites have done a great job of getting limited supplies of vaccine into the community quickly and efficiently,” Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said in a press release Wednesday.

“Now, with vaccine readily available throughout the state, we will increase our focus on promoting vaccination at the neighborhood level in partnership with local health departments and other groups.”

The effort to reach underserved populations includes a vaccination clinic Saturday for kids 12 and older and their parents at Grant Park at 701 S. Third Ave., near downtown Phoenix.

ADHS is partnering with the Equality Health and HeroZona foundations for the 8 a.m.-2 p.m. event. People who get their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine at the park will be able to get their second shot there on June 12.

Another clinic by the same providers will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, where all three approved vaccines will be available. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for people 12 and older, while the Moderna and single-dose Johnson & Johnson versions are still limited to adults 18 and over.

Call 888-587-3647 to reserve a spot at either event or for more information.

The ADHS targeted outreach began with a pilot program in ZIP code 85009 and is expanding in Phoenix City Council Districts 7 and 8, covering neighborhoods east, south and west of downtown and including much of the Maryvale community. Areas of Yuma County and Mesa are also part of the outreach.

In addition to pop-up clinics, the program includes the distribution of yard signs that encourage people to get vaccinated and sending representatives door-to-door to explain the benefits of the shots and guide residents to providers.

“By working with community-based partners on targeted outreach, promoting the benefits of vaccination, and continuing to share that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, effective, and free, we can continue moving Arizona toward keeping COVID-19 in check,” Christ said.

As of Wednesday morning, the ADHS COVID-19 dashboard showed that 5,577,889 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, with 3,159,025 people (43.9% of the state’s population) having received at least one shot and 2,647,573 people fully vaccinated.

For details about statewide COVID-19 vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine-finder page showing locations and registration information.

For information about metro Phoenix vaccine availability, Maricopa County Public Health has a locator page that lists pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics and pop-up distribution events.

Appointments may be required depending on the provider, but many, including state-run mass vaccination sites, accept walk-ins.

Spots at the state-run sites can be secured at https://podvaccine.azdhs.gov/ or by calling 844-542-8201. A new batch of appointments for the following week at those locations, which use the Pfizer vaccine, are released every Friday.

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